Dataset Information

Cost of Headless vs Headed Screw Fixation for Calcaneal Osteotomy and Subtalar Arthrodesis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Screw head prominence in the heel following fixation for calcaneal osteotomy or subtalar arthrodesis has resulted in high rates of symptomatic hardware and screw removal. A cost analysis was performed to determine the financial implications of screw removal. Furthermore, we compared the rate of nonunion following fixation.

Methods

Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify all patients who had a subtalar arthrodesis or calcaneal osteotomy (with screw fixation) performed between 2010 and 2016. The cohort was divided into 2 groups: 7.0-mm headless screw or 6.7-mm headed screw. The primary outcome measure was the rate of symptomatic screw removal. Secondary outcomes included the rate of nonunion. The expense associated with symptomatic hardware removal was determined by cost analysis.

Results

Seventy-six patients underwent headless screw fixation, and 2 patients (2.6%) required screw removal. Fifty-four patients underwent headed screw fixation and 12 patients (22.2%) required screw removal. Symptomatic hardware removal was performed more frequently in the headed screw group (P < .001). There was no difference in the rate of nonunion after subtalar arthrodesis between the 2 groups (P = .363). The calcaneal osteotomy united in 100% of patients. There was a $51 755 cost savings per 100 cases using headless screw fixation.

Conclusion

The rate of symptomatic screw removal was lower with headless screw fixation. The calcaneal osteotomy healed in 100% of patients, and there was no difference in the rate of subtalar nonunion between the 2 groups. Cost analysis demonstrated a significant benefit when the expense of hardware removal was considered.

Level of evidence

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

SUBMITTER: Boren M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8702910 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to introduce a novel method of simultaneous in situ decompression of lateral calcaneal bulge and subtalar arthrodesis via a single incision for malunion after calcaneal fractures and evaluate the feasibility of this method.MethodsFrom September 2010 to October 2011, six patients (five males and one female) with malunion and delayed heel pain after conservative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures were included in our study. The mean age of the six patients was 32.9 years (range, 25-71 years). Patients were treated with this novel technique at our department and the functional outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores during follow-up. Information of the six patients including surgical data and pre/postoperative function scores were retrospectively analyzed using SPSS 19.0 statistical software.ResultsThe average operation time between wire insertion and incision suture was 42.2 ± 11.5 min (range, 25-56 min). The blood loss in all patients was all less than 50 ml each. The average fluoroscopy time was 25.7 ± 11.6 s (range, 11-43 s). No wound-related and other short-term complications were recorded. Six patients who were included in our study were followed for an average period of 66.2 ± 4.7 months (range, 60-73 months). There was no patient lost to follow up. Heel pain was observed to be greatly improved preoperatively in all of the six patients. All patients restored to normal activity of life after surgery. Radiological evidence of fusion was observed in five patients. The average fusion time of these five patients was 3.5 months (range, 2-4 months). The remaining one failed to achieve fusion and the hardware removal was performed due to screw tail irritation. This patient was satisfied with the final outcomes subjectively after removal of hardware. The mean AOFAS scores at 24 months postoperative were 82.0 ± 7.0, which was greatly improved compared to preoperative (44.8 ± 10.7) (P < 0.05). The preoperative VAS pain scores were decreased from 5.8 ± 1.5 to 2.6 ± 1.4 at 24 months postoperative (P < 0.05) and slightly decreased to 2.0 ± 1.7 at 48 months postoperative (P < 0.05). No surgery-related complications were observed in any of the patients.ConclusionsThe novel technique can effectively relieve the heel pain, prompt functional recovery, decrease the incidence of complications, simplify the surgical procedure, and shorten the learning curve. Therefore, the technique is a feasible and worthwhile alternative in treating malunion after calcaneal fractures.