Purpose: Balloon reduction and cement fixation of displaced articular fractures of the calcaneus have been described elsewhere but support for it lacks clinical evidence. We have been performing the technique since October 2006 and describe here our clinical experience including three to five-year follow up of our first ten cases with no patient lost to follow up.
Methods: From September 2006 to September 2009, ten patients were admitted with a calcaneus fracture, six were female and four male, one case was bilateral (11 fractures). Patients were operated upon in the prone position according to the technique we have described. Reduction was obtained in all cases. Patients were discharged after an average of four days postoperatively and were allowed weight bearing after two to three months. All patients were followed up regularly and were examined by an independent observer at the latest follow up. The clinical results were assessed using the AOFAS ankle score, the Babin score and the RAND-36 physical components score. A CT scan was obtained in all patients before, after the operation and at the latest follow up.
Results: After a minimal follow up of 36 months (three to five years), no patient was lost to follow up and none required further surgery. The AOFAS clinical results were rated good or excellent in 81.8 % of cases (nine fractures, eight patients), and the physical component of the RAND-36 was 74.6. One patient only (one fracture) had a bad clinical result and evidence of subtalar arthritis on the CT scan and was offered a subtalar fusion; she refused. All patients had returned to their former professional activities at the same level as before the fracture except one who had retired but had resumed leisure walking.
Conclusion: Balloon reduction and cement fixation of fresh calcaneal fractures ("balloon calcaneoplasty") appears a safe and effective procedure in a variety of calcaneal fractures with lasting and excellent clinical results. More studies are needed to further refine the indications and the limits of the procedure.