Low Risk of Wound Complications with Sinus Tarsi Approach for Treatment of Calcaneus Fractures

CATEGORY: Trauma; Hindfoot INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Fractures of the calcaneus are life-changing events with a major socioeconomic impact from lost productivity. Traditional operative treatment with the extensile lateral approach has shown relatively high rates of wound complications. Less invasive approaches can improve fracture alignment and decrease wound healing complications. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with the sinus tarsi approach in treating calcaneus fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients at our institution treated with a limited sinus tarsi approach for calcaneus fractures from 2009-2018. Demographic and radiographic data were collected including: age, sex, mechanism of injury, occupation, presence of diabetes, smoking status, Sanders classification, Bohler and Gissane angles. Postoperatively, we recorded the presence of complications, return-to-work time, and radiographic measurements. RESULTS: Our analysis included 105 fractures in 100 patients: 86% males, 42% smokers, 4% diabetics, with an average body mass index of 26.5. The fractures were: Sanders type 2 (32%), type 3 (48%), type 4 (18%), and 2% were a tongue-type variant. Preoperatively 38% of fractures displayed a negative angle, 50% had an angle 0-20 degrees, and 12% over 20 degrees; postoperatively 13% had an angle 0-20 degrees, and 87% had an angle over 20 degrees. Of patients working prior to the injury, 72% had returned to work by 6 months, and 89% by 12 months. The wound complication rate was 12% (12/100), with only 2% (2/100) requiring additional procedures. There was no significant difference in wound complication rates in smokers versus nonsmokers (11.9% vs 12.2%, p=0.55). CONCLUSION: The limited sinus tarsi approach for depressed calcaneus fractures allows radiographic restoration of calcaneal height with a low rate of wound complications, even amongst active smokers. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the largest published case series of calcaneus fractures treated with the sinus tarsi approach. Further follow up is needed to determine the success of this approach in mitigating long term complications.