The value of subtalar arthroscopy in the management of intra-articular calcaneus fractures.

A wealth of clinical and experimental data suggests, that anatomical restoration of the posterior calcaneal facet is a major predictor of outcome after intra-articular calcaneus fractures. The value of subtalar arthroscopy was examined in three clinical study groups (I–III).Materials and Methods: (I) The subtalar joint was inspected arthroscopically in 28 patients during hardware removal one year after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). This procedure was accompanied by subtalar arthrolysis in all cases. (II) Open subtalar arthroscopy was performed to evaluate the quality of reduction after ORIF of intra-articular calcaneus fractures in 59 cases. Arthroscopy was performed after seemingly exact reconstruction of the posterior facet as judged visually and fluoroscopically. (III) Arthroscopically assisted percutaneous reduction and screw fixation (PRSF) was performed in 18 patients with Sanders II fractures. Reduction was achieved with a Schanz screw introduced percutaneously into the tuberosity fr...