Mimics assisted closure reduction and screw fixation in the treatment of calcaneal intra-articular fracture

DOU Mei-jing; WANG Guang-lin; WU Fang-yuan; LU Hai-bo; TANG Jun-jun; ZHAN Na-zhi; CHEN Hua; ZHANG Jian

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-252X.2025.09.004

Abstract：Objective To investigate the clinical effect of Mimics assisted closure reduction and screw fixation in the treatment of calcaneal intra-articular fracture.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients with intraarticular calcaneal fractures(Sanders type Ⅱ fracture in 20 cases and Sanders type Ⅲ fracture in 11 cases)admitted to the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from March 2017 to September 2019.After Mimics assisted preoperative design,they were treated with prying reduction and percutaneous screw fixation under traction of external fixator.Postoperative imaging parameters,such like ankle function scores and complications were evaluated.Results The average length of stay was(7.30±3.10)days,mean operative time(87.74±30.30)min,mean intraoperative bleeding volume(41.45±34.16)ml.The AOFAS mean score was(93.84±7.92)points,including 24 excellent,6 good and 1 fair,with an excellent rate of 96.8%.At final follow-up,the mean range of ankle flexion-extension motion on the injured side was(64.35±1.38)°,showing no statistically significant difference compared to the healthy side(P>0.05).The mean inversion-eversion range of the subtalar joint on the injured side was(29.26±1.63)°,achieving 88.6%of the healthy side's mobility.Follow-up radiographs demonstrated satisfactory restoration of calcaneal length,height,width,Böhler's angle,and Gissane's angle.Postoperative CT scans revealed that 83.8%of patients achieved good or excellent reduction of the subtalar articular surface.Conclusions Mimics-assisted closed reduction and screw fixation is safe,effective,minimally invasive and accurate for intra-articular calcaneal fractures,with satisfactory short-term clinical results.