Usefulness of Treatment with 6.5 mm Cancellous Screw and Steinmann Pin Fixation for Calcaneal Joint Depression Fracture.

Purpose: To report the radiographic and clinical results of 6.5 mm cancellous full threaded buttress screw or Steinmann pin fixation to maintain a reduction of calcaneal posterior facet depression fracture. Materials and Methods: From June 2009 to June 2012, 50 consecutive cases with calcaneal joint depression fracture that underwent open reduction and screw or pin fixation were enrolled in this study. A 6.5 mm cancellous full threaded screw was inserted from the posteroinferior aspect of the calcaneal tuberosity to the posterior facet (group A) or Steinman pin was inserted from the posterosuperior aspect of the calcaneal tuberosity to the calcaneocuboidal joint (group B). Both preoperative and postoperative Bohler and Gissane angles were measured radiographically, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale on the final follow-up were assessed. Results: The mean age of patients was 44.1 years, and the mean follow-up period was 27.2 months. According to the Sanders classification, 28 cases were type II and 22 cases were type III. In Sanders type II, Bohler and Gissane angles improved significantly from 10.1o and 126.2°preoperatively to 27.2°and 117.1°, respectively, in the immediate postoperative radiograph, and at the final follow-up, 26.6° and 118.6°, respectively. In Sanders type III, Bohler and Gissane angles improved significantly from 5.0°and 129.8°t°29.9°and 119.3o, respectively, in the immediate postoperative radiograph, and 26.9°and 120.2°at the final follow-up. All cases achieved bony union, and the average period until complete union was 13.3 weeks. AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale was 82.6 in Sanders type II and 77.3 in Sanders type III at the final follow-up. Conclusion: A 6.5 mm cancellous full threaded buttress screw or Steinman pin fixation is a noninvasive treatment method with a merit of being able to maintain the bearing capacity of the posterior facet comparable to plate fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]