Same wound complications between extensile lateral approach and sinus tarsi approach for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures with the same locking compression plates fixation: a 9-year follow-up of 384 patients.

PURPOSE: Some previous studies have demonstrated that the sinus tarsi approach (STA) is a better therapeutic method than the extensile lateral approach (ELA) for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. In a number of those previous studies, two different implants were used in the two approaches respectively. There is a question: if using the same implants, is STA still a better method than ELA? To answer this question, this retrospective study was designed.

METHODS: Between December 2009 and December 2018, 384 patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures were treated by ELA or STA with the same locking compression plates fixation. Data on demographics, wound complications, Bohler's angle, crucial angle of Gissane, walking visual analogue scale (walking-VAS) and American Orthopedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS: 230 patients were treated by ELA, while 154 patients were treated by STA. Radiological and clinical results were evaluated. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to wounds complications, Bohler's angle, crucial angle of Gissane, walking-VAS and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale.

CONCLUSIONS: Under the condition of using the same locking compression plates, there were no significant differences between ELA and STA for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures with regard to wound complications, radiological and clinical outcomes.