Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation and bone void filling with an injectable calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite bone graft substitute: A series of 18 patients

There is an ongoing debate if bone graft substitutes (BGSs) are beneficial in the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an injectable calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite BGS (CERAMENTTM iBONE VOID FILLER, BONESUPPORT AB, Lund, Sweden) in internal fixation of calcaneal fractures.
The records of patients presenting with calcaneal fractures type Sanders III and IV and treated with internal fixation plus BGS were reviewed. Radiographs were analyzed using different measurements (including Böhler's angle and calcaneal facet height). The clinical outcome was evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale.
A total of 20 fractures were available for radiographic and clinical examination at a minimum follow-up of 12 months. No decrease in Böhler's angle was recorded in six fractures, a reduction of The study results support the use of an injectable, in situ hardening calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite BGS in DIACFs. The BGS is easy and safe to use as an augment to open reduction and internal fixation.