Objective  To explore the clinical effect of internal fixation with steel plate by minimally incision tarsal sinus approach in treatment of patients with calcaneal fracture.

  Methods  Totally 104 patients with calcaneal fracture were randomly divided into group A and group B. Patients in group A were treated with internal fixation with steel plate by minimally incision tarsal sinus approach, while those in group B were treated with internal fixation with steel plate by lateral L-type incision approach. The operation time, incision length and wound healing condition were compared between the two groups. The changes of Bohler angle and Gissane angle at 3 and 12 months after operation were compared between the two groups. The excellent and good rate of the two groups was compared based on Maryland score, and the incidence rate of postoperative complications was compared between the two groups.

  Results  The average operation time, average incision length and average incision healing time of group A were significantly better than those of group B (P < 0.05). Maryland scores in group A were significantly higher than those in group B at 3 and 12 months after operation (P < 0.05). Three months after operation, the excellent and good rate of group A and group B was 86.5% and 71.2% respectively, and 12 months after operation, the excellent and good rate of both groups was 100.0%. At 12 months after operation, there was no significant difference in Bohler angle and Gissane angle between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence rate of complications in early period in group A was 11.5%, which was significantly lower than 26.9% in group B (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Internal fixation with steel plate by minimally incision tarsal sinus approach can expose the posterior articular surface and anterolateral bone fragments, and has the advantages of small incision length, less complications and quicker postoperative recovery.