Abstract:Objective To compare the effects of small incision headless compression screw and lateral L-incision plate fixation on calcaneal fracture medial wall reduction and calcaneal alignment correction.Methods From January 2018 to December 2021, 62 patients with calcaneal fractures admitted to our hospital were selected and divided into a study group and a control group by random number table method, with 31 cases in each. The control group was treated with plate fixation with lateral L incision, and the study group was treated with headless compression screw through the tarsal sinus small incision. The patients were followed up for 6 months. The operation conditions, pain, and ankle-foot joint function of the two groups were statistically analyzed. The anatomical parameters of the calcaneal line and the reduction of the medial wall were compared between the two groups. The incidence of complications in the two groups was counted.Results The length of incision, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss in the study group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The comparison of visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain between the two groups before operation, 3 days after operation, 7 days after operation, and 1 month after operation showed that there were differences in the VAS scores between different time points (P < 0.05), VAS scores of the study group and the control group were different (P < 0.05), and the change trend of the VAS score between the study group and the control group was different (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ankle and foot joint function between the two groups at 6 months after operation (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the difference of calcaneus length, calcaneus width, calcaneus height, Bohler angle, Gissane angle, and calcaneus varus angle between the two groups before operation and 6 months after operation (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the good reduction rate of medial wall of calcaneal fracture between the two groups 6 months after operation (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of total complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion There was no difference in ankle-foot joint function recovery, medial wall reduction, and calcaneal alignment correction between calcaneal fractures treated with headless compression screws through the tarsal sinus small incision and lateral L-incision plate fixation. However, headless compression screws through the tarsal sinus small incision have certain advantages in reducing surgical trauma.