Comparison of Two Surgical Approaches for Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures: The Modified Sinus Tarsi Approach Versus The Extensile Lateral Approach

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and complications of a modified sinus tarsi approach (MSTA) and the extensile lateral approach (ELA) for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. In a retrospective design, 108 patients (117 feet) with Sanders II~IV calcaneal fractures were enrolled in this study, including 52 patients (56 feet) in the MSTA group and 56 patients (61 feet) in the ELA group. The postoperative functional and radiological results showed that the average AOFAS scores and VAS scores of the MSTA group were higher than that of the ELA group (p<0.05). After surgery, the Bohler Angle, Gissane Angle, and the length, width, and height of the calcaneus were significantly improved in the MSTA group and the ELA group, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. The incidences of wound healing complications and postoperative sural nerve injury were lower in the MSTA group than in the ELA group (p<0.000). In conclusion, the MSTA was able to achieve similar effects of anatomical reconstruction and function recovery as the ELA, while also effectively reducing the incidences of wound healing complications and postoperative sural nerve injury and shortening the length of hospital stay.