A tailored distractor-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive treatment for Sanders II and III calcaneus fractures: a consecutive cohort study with medium-term results

BackgroundThe treatment strategy of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs) remains challenging. While the operation techniques vary widely, the efforts is now on the optimization of surgical techniques to better DIACFs management. This study aimed to introduce a tailored distractor-a...

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Main Authors: Xiong Liao, Jianliang Deng, Wei Liu, Di You
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Surgery
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1599356/full
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author Xiong Liao
Jianliang Deng
Wei Liu
Di You
author_facet Xiong Liao
Jianliang Deng
Wei Liu
Di You
author_sort Xiong Liao
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe treatment strategy of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs) remains challenging. While the operation techniques vary widely, the efforts is now on the optimization of surgical techniques to better DIACFs management. This study aimed to introduce a tailored distractor-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and reported its medium-term outcomes in patients with Sanders II and III calcaneus fractures.Methods63 cases (63 feet) of DIACFs, subjected to a tailored distractor-assisted MIS in our orthopedic department were retrospectively analyzed. The medical records and radiological measurements were retrieved for efficiency evaluation. At the last follow-up, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hind foot score and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score were used to evaluate the functional rehabilitation. Postoperative complications were also recorded.ResultsAll feet (39 Sanders type II fractures and 24 Sanders type III) successfully achieved fracture reduction with the interval between injury to operation average 1.3 days, the duration of surgery average 40.1 min, and the hospital stay average 4.9 days. Radiographic measurements revealed significant differences between pre-operation and post-operation in calcaneal height and width, so as to Bohler's angle and Gissane angle (p < 0.05, respectively). Anatomical or near-anatomical realignment of the posterior subtalar articular surfaces were achieved in all cases. At the last follow-up, the AOFAS and the VAS score was average 81.4 and 1.3 points, both significantly improved from that of pre-operation (p < 0.05, respectively). Four feet (6.3%) encountered postoperative complications.ConclusionApplication of the tailored calcaneal distractor in MIS for Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures has demonstrated advantages in effectively manipulating fracture reduction and yielding favorable clinical outcomes. Further cohort study is required to clarify its clinical significance vs. other techniques.
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spelling doaj-art-5d927f526c9b4bc28ee3ea17fc367d6c2025-08-20T02:47:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Surgery2296-875X2025-08-011210.3389/fsurg.2025.15993561599356A tailored distractor-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive treatment for Sanders II and III calcaneus fractures: a consecutive cohort study with medium-term resultsXiong LiaoJianliang DengWei LiuDi YouBackgroundThe treatment strategy of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs) remains challenging. While the operation techniques vary widely, the efforts is now on the optimization of surgical techniques to better DIACFs management. This study aimed to introduce a tailored distractor-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and reported its medium-term outcomes in patients with Sanders II and III calcaneus fractures.Methods63 cases (63 feet) of DIACFs, subjected to a tailored distractor-assisted MIS in our orthopedic department were retrospectively analyzed. The medical records and radiological measurements were retrieved for efficiency evaluation. At the last follow-up, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hind foot score and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score were used to evaluate the functional rehabilitation. Postoperative complications were also recorded.ResultsAll feet (39 Sanders type II fractures and 24 Sanders type III) successfully achieved fracture reduction with the interval between injury to operation average 1.3 days, the duration of surgery average 40.1 min, and the hospital stay average 4.9 days. Radiographic measurements revealed significant differences between pre-operation and post-operation in calcaneal height and width, so as to Bohler's angle and Gissane angle (p < 0.05, respectively). Anatomical or near-anatomical realignment of the posterior subtalar articular surfaces were achieved in all cases. At the last follow-up, the AOFAS and the VAS score was average 81.4 and 1.3 points, both significantly improved from that of pre-operation (p < 0.05, respectively). Four feet (6.3%) encountered postoperative complications.ConclusionApplication of the tailored calcaneal distractor in MIS for Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures has demonstrated advantages in effectively manipulating fracture reduction and yielding favorable clinical outcomes. Further cohort study is required to clarify its clinical significance vs. other techniques.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1599356/fullcalcaneus fracturecalcaneal distractorfoot surgeryfracture reductionminimally invasive surgery
spellingShingle Xiong Liao
Jianliang Deng
Wei Liu
Di You
A tailored distractor-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive treatment for Sanders II and III calcaneus fractures: a consecutive cohort study with medium-term results
Frontiers in Surgery
calcaneus fracture
calcaneal distractor
foot surgery
fracture reduction
minimally invasive surgery
title A tailored distractor-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive treatment for Sanders II and III calcaneus fractures: a consecutive cohort study with medium-term results
title_full A tailored distractor-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive treatment for Sanders II and III calcaneus fractures: a consecutive cohort study with medium-term results
title_fullStr A tailored distractor-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive treatment for Sanders II and III calcaneus fractures: a consecutive cohort study with medium-term results
title_full_unstemmed A tailored distractor-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive treatment for Sanders II and III calcaneus fractures: a consecutive cohort study with medium-term results
title_short A tailored distractor-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive treatment for Sanders II and III calcaneus fractures: a consecutive cohort study with medium-term results
title_sort tailored distractor assisted percutaneous minimally invasive treatment for sanders ii and iii calcaneus fractures a consecutive cohort study with medium term results
topic calcaneus fracture
calcaneal distractor
foot surgery
fracture reduction
minimally invasive surgery
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1599356/full
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