Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40375052›Full record

SynthesisMusculoskeletal surgery2026

Primary subtalar arthrodesis in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture: a systematic review.

A Giuliani, S Calori, A Singlitico, F Forconi, G Maccauro, R Vitiello

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Musculoskeletal surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

A GiulianiDepartment of Ageing, Neurosciences, Head-Neck and Orthopedics Sciences, Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy. alessandro.giul95@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4838-8203
S CaloriDepartment of Ageing, Neurosciences, Head-Neck and Orthopedics Sciences, Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
A SingliticoDepartment of Ageing, Neurosciences, Head-Neck and Orthopedics Sciences, Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
F ForconiUniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00100, Rome, Italy.
G MaccauroDepartment of Ageing, Neurosciences, Head-Neck and Orthopedics Sciences, Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
R VitielloDepartment of Ageing, Neurosciences, Head-Neck and Orthopedics Sciences, Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Calcaneus fractures are severe injuries often resulting from traumatic falls or motor vehicle accidents. Surgical treatment through open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is considered the standard approach for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs), but it is associated with many complications. Our study aimed to review the current literature available on primary subtalar arthrodesis (PSA) as a first-line treatment for DIACFs, mostly Sanders type IV. In this study, we conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The keywords were searched in PubMed, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library. This review included articles where primary arthrodesis was performed in calcaneal fractures, with or without associated implants. Nine articles were included in the review. The total population comprised 184 patients with 192 calcaneal fractures. The mean age was 44.9 ± 6.9 years old. The mean follow-up period was 30.28 ± 15.29 months when reported. The mean time to surgery was 13.33 ± 7.02 days from injury. All studies reported a good fusion rate (between 94 and 100%) and an average fusion time of 4.05 ± 2.19 months. The mean American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 71.26 ± 8, and the mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score for pain was 3.26 ± 0.91. Primary arthrodesis of the subtalar joint for treating DIACFs, mostly Sanders type IV, provides good results due to the avoidance of further procedures, reduced postoperative pain, and a high rate of bony union. However, success heavily depends on factors such as patient comorbidities and addressing hindfoot deformity. Further studies with larger patient populations and more standardized protocols are necessary to draw definitive conclusions about the best management strategies for DIACFs. Systematic review, level III of evidence.

Indexed as

ArthrodesisCalcaneusFractures, BoneIntra-Articular FracturesSubtalar JointAdultFracture Fixation, InternalHumansArthrodesisCalcanealFractureSubtalar

Identifiers

PMID40375052
PMCPMC12950025

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.