The mineralized collagen for the reconstruction of intra-articular calcaneal fractures with trabecular defects

Background: In cases of severe subversion of the morphology of calcaneal fractures with trabecular defects, bone graft is often necessary to provide a mechanical buttress. The mineralized collagen (MC) is a novel bone substitute that is developed by biomimetic synthesis strategy that mimics the extracellular matrix (ECM) of natural bone in structure and chemical composition. It can avoid donor site morbidity and complications associated with harvesting autologous bone graft.

Objective: In this study, we conducted a retrospective matched-pair analysis to assess the clinical and radiological performances of MC as a bone graft substitute in intra-articular calcaneal fractures with trabecular defects.

Methods: 24 pairs of intra-articular calcaneal fractures with trabecular defects were treated with open reduction, internal fixation, and grafting either with MC or autograft. Patient demographics, medical history, and CT fracture classification were matched. Fractures were monitored 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively for healing and postoperative complications and results were analyzed.

Results: All patients had follow-up at a minimum of 12 months after surgery with a mean follow-up time of 17 months. All fractures were healed; there were no significant differences in the meantime to union and clinical between the two groups. The radiographic evaluation confirmed that a significant improvement in the mean Böhler's angle, Gissane's angle and the calcaneus height was observed in all patients in both treatment groups. A total of 29% (7/24) of patients suffered from harvest-site morbidity at 12 months in the autograft group. In contrast, all patients were free from postoperative local complications in the iliac region and no patient developed adverse reactions attributable to MC in the MC group.

Conclusion: These results justify and favor the use of MC as a good autograft alternative in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures with trabecular defects.