Calcanail for calcaneal fracture management
Calcanail
Minimally-invasive Calcaneal Fracture Management
Closed calcaneal fracture reduction with minimal wound complications
The Calcanail is a novel intermedullary nail approach to the surgical management of calcaneal fracture¹. The system uses a single entry point in the base of the heel, therefore reducing the need for large incisions either medially or laterally.
A strong distraction tool is used to increase the calcaneum height and sub-talar joint space, in order to take advantage of ligamentotaxis, which assists with closed calcaneal fracture reduction. Further reduction can be performed through a working canal created in the calcaneum during the reaming process.
As a result, anatomic fracture reduction can be achieved without the need for a sinus-tarsi or extended lateral approach². With only stab incisions in the lateral heel, there is a reduced risk of wound complications and infections.
Equally, studies comparing the Calcanail to plate fixation in calcaneal fracture management show significant improvement in patient outcomes and reduced complication rates³.
A strong distraction tool is used to increase the calcaneum height and sub-talar joint space, in order to take advantage of ligamentotaxis, which assists with closed calcaneal fracture reduction. Further reduction can be performed through a working canal created in the calcaneum during the reaming process.
As a result, anatomic fracture reduction can be achieved without the need for a sinus-tarsi or extended lateral approach². With only stab incisions in the lateral heel, there is a reduced risk of wound complications and infections.
Equally, studies comparing the Calcanail to plate fixation in calcaneal fracture management show significant improvement in patient outcomes and reduced complication rates³.
The Calcanail in Australia
Like the TLS short graft ACL, the Calcanail has been developed by FH Orthopaedics and introduced to the Australian market in 2017. Since then it has become a popular technique for both calcaneal fracture management and subtalar arthrodesis.
Some more recent studies from the USA have recorded 0% infection rates after fixation with the Calcanail⁴, which certainly mirrors our experience in Australia.
It is our hope to pursue some local research to compare this novel technique to conservative management of calcaneal fractures in a longditudinal study to show that better outcomes can be achieved for patients without the risk of wound complications.
For more information on the Calcanail and to request a surgical visitation or cadaver lab, please click on the link below.
Some more recent studies from the USA have recorded 0% infection rates after fixation with the Calcanail⁴, which certainly mirrors our experience in Australia.
It is our hope to pursue some local research to compare this novel technique to conservative management of calcaneal fractures in a longditudinal study to show that better outcomes can be achieved for patients without the risk of wound complications.
For more information on the Calcanail and to request a surgical visitation or cadaver lab, please click on the link below.
