POSTOPERATIVE WEIGHT BEARING AFTER CALCANEAL JOINT FRACTURES TREATED WITH A PREMODELLED PLATE: 118 CASES

Abstract

Purpose: We wanted to ascertain whether the advantages of functional treatment on trophicity could be combined with the advantages of surgical treatment on anatomic results in patients with displaced calcaneal join fractures.

Material and methods: Using the AO 3.5 reconstruction plates with specific stereotypic modelling we were able to obtain solid fixation in almost all cases of calcaneal joint fractures using a rigorous technique and following precise principles, notably the direction of the screw into the sustentaculum tali.As the osteosynthesis is very stable, we postulate that partial and progressive early weight bearing would be acceptable as long as pain was under a threshold level used as sign of micromobility. The first cases were very favourable so we extended this method, using it as a routine procedure for all cases (excepting those with an associated injury excluding weight bearing). Among 122 fractures operated with this method, 118 were reviewed.

Results: According to the Duparc classification, we treated one type 2, 34 type 3, 76 type 4 and seven type 5 fractures. Weight bearing was initiated on the average at 14 days, with a median of seven days. The Boehler angle improved from 0° preoperatively to 22° postoperatively. We did not have any cases of secondary displacement greater than 2°. The functional outcome was, according to the SOFCOT criteria: very good 34.5%, good 41.4%, fair 9.5% and poor 0%. Physical results (SOFCOT criteria) were: very good 17.2%, good 54.3%, fair 26.7%, poor 1.7%. Anatomic results according to AFC criteria were: very good and good 69%, fair 25.9%, poor 5.1%.

Discussion: These result demonstrate that a rigorous therapeutic management scheme can combine the advantages of functional and surgical treatment of displaced calcaneal joint fractures. Early weight-bearing below the pain threshold was effective since all our bilateral cases could be discharged after walking a few steps. Recovery was more rapid when weight bearing was late. Crutches could be abandoned at two months on the average.

Conclusion: We believe that solid osteosynthesis is possible in almost all cases of displaced calcaneal fractures with joint involvement if a rigorous technique is used. Progressive early weight bearing below the pain threshold is a significant adjuvant factor favouring rapid and quality outcome.