Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The current treatment of calcaneal fracture is bone graft repair of bone defects after reduction surgery, but the selection of the filling of bone defects is controversial.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical curative effect of calcium sulfate artificial bone and internal fixation for calcaneus fracture.
METHODS: Twelve patients with Sanders type Ⅱ and Sanders type Ⅲ fractures of calcaneus underwent implantation of calcium sulfate artificial bone and internal fixation of bone plate in Shenzhen People’s Hospital from October 2007 to December 2008. All patients were treated with lateral calcaneal L-shape incision, powdered or granular calcium sulfate bone graft was implanted after fracture reduction, then lateral calcaneus was placed the prebending tree-shape bone plate as internal fixation. The patients were monthly rechecked plain film in out-patient clinic, and were instructed to do some weight-bearing exercises after 8 weeks, in accordance with the fracture healing displayed in X-ray films, followed by a full weight-bearing walk after limb fracture healing. Functional results were assessed by Maryland Foot Score.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All patients were followed up 7-18 months (average 11.2 months) after operation. The average time of fracture healing was 12 weeks. According to the evaluation of Maryland Foot Score, the excellent and good results were noted 92%. No such complications as rejection, irritability and toxicity were discovered. Implantation of calcium sulfate artificial bone in combination with open reduction and internal fixation is an effective and secure method for fracture of calcaneus. calcium sulfate artificial bone is a good bone graft.