Modified sinus tarsi approach with a variable-angle locking anterolateral plate for Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures

Background: We compared the effectiveness of the extensile lateral approach (ELA) and modified sinus tarsi approach (MSTA) with a variable-angle locking anterolateral plate in treating Sanders type II and III cal-caneal fractures.Methods: We reviewed 45 DIACFs treated by a single surgeon from 2017 to 2020. Open reduction using ELA and MSTA was performed in 25 and 20 patients, respectively. Follow-up evaluations included radiological assessments and clinical evaluations.Results: Pre-and postoperative radiologic parameters for the calcaneus were significantly different. The average American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores were 81.24 and 85.00, the mean visual ana-logue scale scores were 2.28 and 1.65, and the wound-related complication rates were 64.0% and 15.0% in the ELA and MSTA groups, respectively. Bony union was achieved in all cases. Conclusions: For Sanders type II and III fractures, MSTA seems to be a safer and more satisfactory method, with fewer postoperative complications.(c) 2021 European Foot and Ankle Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.