Influence of Contralateral Radiographs on Accuracy of Anatomic Reduction in Surgically Treated Calcaneus Fractures

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether obtaining a radiograph of the uninjured contralateral calcaneus (template) before surgery allowed for more precise restoration of Bohler's angle and calcaneal length when performing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of intra-articular calcaneus fractures. METHODS: Patients who sustained an intra-articular calcaneus fracture requiring surgery who met inclusion criteria were prospectively randomized into those who had a preoperative template obtained for review at the time of ORIF (group 1) versus those who had the contralateral radiograph obtained after surgery (group 2). RESULTS: There was no benefit of the preoperative template in allowing for more anatomic restoration of Bohler's angle or calcaneal length. Operative time was decreased with the use of a preoperative template when using the extensile lateral or percutaneous approaches. CONCLUSION: Preoperative templating of the uninjured contralateral calcaneus did not allow for more anatomic reduction or restoration of pre-injury morphology of the calcaneus undergoing operative fixation as based on Bohler's angle and calcaneal length. Templating may be of benefit by reducing operative time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative series.