To investigate the effects of minimally invasive plate-assisted compression screws on the recovery of foot function and the expression of serum prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), substance P (SP) and serotonin (5-HT) in patients with intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

A retrospective collection of 87 patients with intra-articular calcaneal fractures admitted to our hospital from February 2016 to March 2019, and they were divided into minimally invasive group (n=44) and traditional group (n=43) according to different treatment methods. Patients in the traditional group received traditional AO anatomical plate and screw therapy, and patients in the minimally invasive group received minimally invasive plate-assisted compression screw therapy. Comparing the conditions of surgery, occurrence of complications and serum PGE₂, SP, 5-HT levels, inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP)] of patientsbefore and 1 day and 3 days after surgeryin the two groups. After 6 to 12 months of postoperative follow-up, the fracture reduction status (calcaneal height, calcaneal width, calcaneal length, Gissane angle, Bohler angle, articular surface step height) and the excellent rate of foot joint function recovery of patients between the two groups were compared.

All patients were followed up for 6-12 months, with an average of 8.73±0.56 months, and the follow-up rate was 100%. Surgery relatives, the operation time, hospitalization time, starting weight bearing time and fracture healing time of the minimally invasive group were shorter than that of the traditional group, and the postoperative VAS score was lower than that of the traditional group (P<0.05). Serum PGE₂, SP, 5-HT levels: the levels of serum PGE₂, SP and 5-HT in the minimally invasive group were lower than those in the traditional group (P<0.05). Inflammatory factors: the serum TNF-α and CRP levels in the minimally invasive group were lower than those in the traditional group on 1 and 3 days after operation (P<0.05). Complications, the incidence of complications in the minimally invasive group was lower than that in the traditional group (P<0.05). Calcaneus, there were no cases of shedding in the two groups. At the last follow-up of the minimally invasive group, the height, length, Gissane angle, and Bohler angle of the calcaneus were higher than those of the traditional group, and the width of the calcaneus and the height of the articular surface step were lower than those of the traditional group (P<0.05); the excellent and good rate of foot joint function recovery. The excellent and good rate of foot joint function recovery in the minimally invasive group was higher than that of the traditional group at the last follow-up (P<0.05).

Minimally invasive plate-assisted compression screws are used in patients with intra-articular calcaneal fractures, which can help relieve pain, reduce complications, and improve fracture reduction, restore foot joint function, shorten rehabilitation process, and have little effect on serum PGE₂, SP, 5-HT levels.