Management of comminuted calcaneal fractures by reconstruction-arthrodesis with the Vira (R) system A prospective study of the first 50 cases with over one-year follow-up

Objective: To establish the surgical applicability and clinical results of the Vira (R) System in the management of severe calcaneal fractures. Material and method: Fifty-three acute calcaneal fractures, corresponding to 44 patients treated with the Vira (R) System in a time period of two years, were analysed (mean age: 41 years). Nine were bilateral and 50 closed fractures. After Sanders classification most fractures were of type IV and III AB. We performed a radiographic, clinical study, and AOFAS scale, at 12 months of the procedure. Results: the AOFAS scale at 12 months of the procedure obtained a mean score of 76.6 points (SD: 13.9). 26% were very good results, 62% good and 12% fair-poor. The Bohler angle prior to the procedure was defective with significant (p=0.05) improvement, after the procedure, though not clinically relevant. Conclusions: The Vira system is a validated option for the surgical management of calcaneal fractures, with good clinical and radiological results at the expense of a very low surgical aggressiveness and low complication rate.