Outcomes of Calcaneal Fracture Fixation in a One-Day Surgery Setting
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56929/jseaortho-2025-0264Keywords:
calcaneal fracture, one-day surgeryAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of minimally invasive calcaneal fracture fixation with screws in a one-day surgery setting. This study investigated whether this technique achieves satisfactory clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes without increasing the incidence of postoperative complications.
Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 23 consecutive patients with Sanders type II tongue-type intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated with minimally invasive screw fixation in a one-day surgery setting between January 2010 and February 2024. All procedures were performed by one surgeon under regional anesthesia. Standardized perioperative management included a popliteal sciatic nerve block, multimodal oral analgesia, and structured follow-ups. The outcomes assessed were operative time, postoperative pain (visual analog scale [VAS]]), Böhler angle, perioperative complications, and patient satisfaction.
Results: The patients’ mean age was 44.9 ± 10.6 years, with a mean injury-to-surgery interval of 9.2 ± 4.6 days. Sixteen patients underwent fixation via the sinus tarsi approach and seven via a percutaneous approach. Immediate postoperative pain was minimal (VAS; 0.4 ± 1.2), increasing to a mean of 3.2 ± 2.4 at 24 h; one patient (4.3%) experienced severe pain, managed with oral analgesics. The mean Böhler’s angle increased from 3.6 ± 11.4° preoperatively to 25.2 ± 6.3° postoperatively. No hospital readmissions, wound complications, sural nerve injuries, or losses of reduction were observed. Patient satisfaction was high (mean; 4.8 ± 0.4/5). At four weeks, radiographs showed progressive fracture healing with initiation of weightbearing, and by 12 weeks, all cases demonstrated union without implant failure, infection, or delayed union.
Conclusions: Calcaneal fracture fixation with screws through the sinus tarsi approach can be effectively performed in a one-day surgery setting, resulting in favorable outcomes.
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