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Böhler’s Angle-Comparison Between the pre- and Postoperative in Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures* * Work developed at the Serviço de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Hospital Santa Teresa, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.

Abstract

Objective

To compare pre- and postoperative variation of radiographicmeasurements of the Böhler angle (BA) in fractures with two types of deviations: severe and moderate.

Methods

Pre- and postoperative BAs in 31 calcaneal fracture radiographs were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 4 patients were female (6.5%) and 26 were male (83.9%), with age ranging from 23 to 72 years old, and a mean age of 44.5 years old.

Results

The results show that the postoperative BA was significantly larger than the preoperative BA (p = 0.000). At the intraevaluator and overall assessments, the postoperative BA was, on average, 10.6° higher than the preoperative measure. The postoperative angle was, on average, 108% higher than the preoperative angle. In the global assessment, the agreement between evaluatorswas excellent, bothregarding the estimated point value (0.98) and the intraclass correlation (ICC) confidence interval (CI).

Conclusion

In the global analysis, the postoperative BAs were, on average, significantly higher than the preoperativemeasurements. The farther from the normal range (20° to 40°) the preoperative angle is, the greater the difference after the surgery. When the preoperative angle was normal, the postoperative angle was, on average, 1.28 times the preoperative measurement. If the preoperative BA was abnormal, the postoperative angle was, on average, 17.3 times the preoperativemeasurement. It was demonstrated that more severe fractures present better anatomic results when compared with moderate fractures. The present study also confirms a good interobserver correlation for the BA.

Keywords:
calcaneus; bone fractures; intra-articular fractures; radiography

Resumo

Objetivo

Comparar a variação dos resultados dasmedidas radiográficas do ângulo de Böhler, no pré e pós-operatório, em fraturas com dois tipos de desvio: graves e moderadas.

Métodos:

O ângulo de Böhler foi analisado retrospectivamente em 31 radiografias pré e pós-operatórias de fraturas do calcâneo. Quatro pacientes eram do sexo feminino (6,5%) e 26 do masculino (83,9%), entre 23 e 72 anos, média de 44,5.

Resultados

As medidas pré e pós-operatória demonstraram que o ângulo de Böhler após a cirurgia foi significativamente maior do que o ângulo de Böhler pré-operatório (p-valor = 0,000). Nas análises intraobservador e global, o ângulo de Böhler pósoperatório foi, em média, 10,6 graus maior do que no pré-operatório. O ângulo pósoperatório foi, em média, 108% maior do que o ângulo pré-operatório. No global, a concordância entre os avaliadores é excelente, tanto em relação ao valor pontual estimado (0,98) quanto em relação ao intervalo de confiança do ICC.

Conclusão

Na análise global, verificou-se que asmedidas do ângulo de Böhler no pósoperatório são, em média, significativamente maiores do que as do ângulo préoperatório. Quanto mais distante da faixa de normalidade (20 a 40 graus) estiver o ângulo pré-operatório, maior a diferença no ângulo após a cirurgia. Quando o ângulo pré-operatório está na faixa de normalidade, o ângulo pós-operatório será, em média, 1,28 vez o ângulo pré-operatório; se o ângulo de Böhler pré-operatório estiver fora da

Palavras-chave:
calcâneo; fraturas ósseas; fraturas intraarticulares; radiografias

Introduction

The calcaneus is the most frequently traumatized bone, and represents 60% of the hindfoot fractures. These fractures comprise ∼ 1 to 2% of all fractures, and approximately 75% present an intra-articular component, with important consequences for the patients.11 Tomesen T, Biert J, Frölke JPM. Treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures with closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2011;93(10):920-928

The Böhler angle (BA) is the complementary angle formed by two lines: (a) a line between the highest region of the anterior process and the highest part of the posterior articular surface and (b) a line between the same point on the posterior articular surface and the most superior point of the calcaneus tuberosity. The BA usually ranges from 20° to 40°.22 Eastwood DM, Langkamer VG, Atkins RM. Intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum. Part II: Open reduction and internal fixation by the extended lateral transcalcaneal approach. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1993;75(02):189-195 33 Johnson EE, Gebhardt JS. Surgical management of calcaneal fractures using bilateral incisions and minimal internal fixation. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1993;(290):117-124 44 Leung KS, Chan WS, ShenWY, Pak PP, So WS, Leung PC. Operative treatment of intraarticular fractures of the os calcis-the role of rigid internal fixation and primary bone grafting: preliminary results. J Orthop Trauma 1989;3(03):232-240 55 O'Farrell DA, O'Byrne JM, McCabe JP, Stephens MM. Fractures of the os calcis: improved resultswith internal fixation. Injury 1993; 24(04):263-265 66 Parkes JC 2nd. The nonreductive treatment for fractures of the Os calcis. Orthop Clin North Am 1973;4(01):193-195 It is often used in profile radiographs to assess the degree and severity of intra-articular deformity deviated from the calcaneus, and it helps to confirm the outcome of the reduction in postoperative radiographs.77 Böhler L. Diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of fractures of the os calcis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1931;13(01):75-89 88 Buckley R, Tough S, McCormack R, Pate G, Leighton R, Petrie D, et al. Operative compared with nonoperative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: a prospective, randomized, controlledmulticenter trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am2002;84-A(10): 1733-1744 99 Dooley P, Buckley R, Tough S, McCormack B, Pate G, Leighton R, et al. Bilateral calcaneal fractures: operative versus nonoperative treatment. Foot Ankle Int/Am Orthop Foot Ankle Soc/Swiss Foot Ankle Soc 2004;25(02):47-52 1010 Loucks C, Buckley R. Bohler's angle: correlation with outcome in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. J Orthop Trauma 1999;13(08):554-558 1111 Basile A. Operative versus nonoperative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures in elderly patients. J Foot Ankle Surg 2010;49(01):25-32 Some authors suggest that the restoration of the BA improves outcomes and indicate its prognostic value in the postoperative period of the fracture and in the subtalar joint arthrodesis.22 Eastwood DM, Langkamer VG, Atkins RM. Intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum. Part II: Open reduction and internal fixation by the extended lateral transcalcaneal approach. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1993;75(02):189-195 33 Johnson EE, Gebhardt JS. Surgical management of calcaneal fractures using bilateral incisions and minimal internal fixation. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1993;(290):117-124 44 Leung KS, Chan WS, ShenWY, Pak PP, So WS, Leung PC. Operative treatment of intraarticular fractures of the os calcis-the role of rigid internal fixation and primary bone grafting: preliminary results. J Orthop Trauma 1989;3(03):232-240 55 O'Farrell DA, O'Byrne JM, McCabe JP, Stephens MM. Fractures of the os calcis: improved resultswith internal fixation. Injury 1993; 24(04):263-265 66 Parkes JC 2nd. The nonreductive treatment for fractures of the Os calcis. Orthop Clin North Am 1973;4(01):193-195 1212 Maskill JD, Bohay DR, Anderson JG. Calcaneus fractures: a review article. Foot Ankle Clin 2005;10(03):463-489, vi 1313 Hyer CF, Atway S, Berlet GC, Lee TH. Early weight bearing of calcaneal fractures fixated with locked plates: a radiographic review. Foot Ankle Spec 2010;3(06):320-323

According to the literature, the BA assists the clinical outcome by correlating the variations between preoperative and postoperative measurements.88 Buckley R, Tough S, McCormack R, Pate G, Leighton R, Petrie D, et al. Operative compared with nonoperative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: a prospective, randomized, controlledmulticenter trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am2002;84-A(10): 1733-1744 99 Dooley P, Buckley R, Tough S, McCormack B, Pate G, Leighton R, et al. Bilateral calcaneal fractures: operative versus nonoperative treatment. Foot Ankle Int/Am Orthop Foot Ankle Soc/Swiss Foot Ankle Soc 2004;25(02):47-52 1010 Loucks C, Buckley R. Bohler's angle: correlation with outcome in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. J Orthop Trauma 1999;13(08):554-558 1111 Basile A. Operative versus nonoperative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures in elderly patients. J Foot Ankle Surg 2010;49(01):25-32 Knight et al1414 Knight JR, Gross EA, Bradley GH, Bay C, LoVecchio F. Boehler's angle and the critical angle of Gissane are of limited use in diagnosing calcaneus fractures in the ED. Am J Emerg Med 2006;24(04):423-427 have shown that papers on BA have good intraobserver reliability. The present study aims to compare the BA variation in pre- and postoperative radiographic measurements in fractures with severe and moderate deviation.

Material and Methods

From April 2015 to June 2017, 31 pre- and postoperative radiographs of calcaneal fractures were retrospectively analyzed. The present study was submitted to and authorized by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital and informed consent forms were not required since data were extracted from medical records and radiographs.

The inclusion criteria were deviated calcaneal fractures, age > 18 years old, and treatment within 3 weeks after the fracture. The exclusion criteria were incomplete or poor quality radiographs, previous or pathological fractures, open fractures, medical contraindication for surgery, and calcaneal fractures with concomitant involvement of the ankle or foot bones. All of the procedures were performed through the extended lateral approach.

The BA was measured on pre- and postoperative radiographs of patients with calcaneal fractures. Angles between 20° and 40° were considered within an acceptable limit, and the measurements were analyzed by 2 independent researchers (3rd year medical residents).

The study sample consisted of 31 patients, 4 females (6.5%) and 26 males (83.9%). Among the 31 patients, 1 had no recorded information on gender and age. The frequency distribution of the age of the patients by gender and the global distribution are shown in Table 1, and the age distribution is shown in Table 2. Patients were between 23 and 72 years old, with a mean age of 44.5 years old, a median age of 46 years old, standard deviation (SD) of 11.3, and coefficient of variation of 0.25, evidencing moderate age variability. The age group was of between 40 and 48 years old, concentrating 43.3% of the sample.

Table 1
Age frequency distribution of the patients

Table 2
Main statistical values regarding the distribution of the age of the patients

Methodology

The variables of the present study are BA measurements made by two evaluators from radiographic examinations of severe and moderate deviated calcaneal fractures. The collected data constituted a database analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) and with Microsoft Excel 2007 (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA).

For the sample characterization and the descriptive analysis of the behavior of the variables, data were synthesized through descriptive statistics (mean, median, minimum, maximum, SD, and coefficient of variation [CV]), descriptive graphs, and frequency distributions. The distribution variability of one variable was considered low if CV < 0.20; moderate if 0.20 ≤ CV < 0.40; and high if CV ≥ 0.40.

In the inferential analysis, the normality hypothesis of measurement distribution was verified by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and by the Shapiro-Wilk test. The test distribution was considered normal when both tests consistently concluded so. The preoperative BA measurements were compared with the postoperative values, and both were compared between the two evaluators. When the two measures had normal distributions, they were compared in pairs by a paired Student-t test. When at least one of the measures did not have normal distribution, the two paired measures were compared using the Wilcoxon test.

The agreement analysis was performed between the measurements of the two evaluators by quantifying the raw agreement (percentage of cases in which the two measurements are equal, that is, in which D, the difference between the two measures, is equal to 0) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The ICC expresses the total variability proportion, which is due to the variability between units. In assessing the agreement between 2 measures, such as the agreement between the angle measured by evaluator 1 and evaluator 2, the ICC can be interpreted as a measure of agreement, as it determines the distance between the 2 measurements and a 45° straight line to which agreement would be perfect, since both measures would be equal. The ICC was calculated in the two-way mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) model, and the study interest was “consistency analysis”. The ICC agreement was classified as follows:

  • 0.00 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.20 = poor agreement

  • 0.20 < ICC ≤ 0.40 = reasonable agreement

  • 0.40 < ICC ≤ 0.60 = good agreement

  • 0.60 < ICC ≤ 0.80 = very good agreement

  • 0.80 < ICC ≤ 1.00 = excellent agreement

The imprecision estimative from the ICC was analyzed by its confidence interval (CI) at the 95% level, while significance was evaluated by an ICC F test. The agreement was considered significantly good if the ICC was significantly non-zero and if its point value and all of the CI values at a 95% confidence level were at least at the “good agreement” level.

All of the discussions considered a maximum significance level of 5% (0.05), that is, the null hypothesis was rejected whenever the test-associated p-value was < 0.05. In tests with asymptotic and exact p-value, the latter was considered.

Results

Descriptive Analyses of Angle Measurements

Table 3 shows the p-values of the normality tests for BA distributions measured by the two evaluators and for the overall distribution (i.e., regardless of the evaluator). Since all of the p-values were > 5.0%, it is concluded that all of the BA measurements, both pre- and postoperative, either from the 2 evaluators or the overall values, follow normal distribution. Therefore, any inferential analysis comparing BAs used the parametric approach.

Table 3
Normality tests for pre- and postoperative Böhler angle distribution for each evaluator and global distribution

The main statistics of the distributions of pre- and postoperative BA measurements for each evaluator and the global distribution (regardless of the evaluator) are shown in Table 4. Since all of the CVs were > 0.20, the BA measurements present high sample variability. The BA distributions according to each evaluator and the global distribution are shown in the boxplot graphs in Fig. 1. The boxplot of postoperative angle measurements from evaluator 2 shows that the maximum value of 50° is an outlier, a discrepant value (∘) from the other patients. The graphs and statistics demonstrate that the angle increased after the surgery, and that the effect is significant. A paired Student–t test for pre- and postoperative measurements showed that the postoperative BAs are significantly higher than the preoperative BAs (p= 0.000 in all comparisons).

Fig. 1
Distributions of pre- and postoperative Böhler angle measurements for each evaluator and global distribution.

Table 4
Main statistical values regarding pre- and postoperative Böhler angle distribution for each evaluator and global distribution

According to both evaluators and at the overall analysis, the postoperative BA value is, on average, 10.6° higher than in the preoperative period. The statistics of the angle differences, both per evaluator and at the overall analysis, is shown in Table 5. For 2 observations from evaluator 1, the postoperative angle was smaller than the preoperative angle. The variability of the difference between angles is very high (CV > 0.80), and the largest differences found, > 40°, are very atypical and constitute outliers in the distributions (Fig. 2). The differences between the measurements of the angles do not follow a normal distribution, since they presented p-values< 5% for both normality tests and both evaluators. Comparing the differences between pre- and postoperative BA values according to 2 evaluators by the Wilcoxon test, p =0.761 was obtained. It was concluded, therefore, that there was no significant difference between the variations of the angles from the two evaluators.

Fig. 2
Distributions of pre- and postoperative Böhler angle measurement differences for each evaluator and global distribution.

Table 5
Main statistical values regarding the difference between pre- and postoperative Böhler angle measurements for each evaluator and global distribution

Table 6 shows the statistics of the difference between both angles, relative (percentage) to the preoperative value, per evaluator and globally. For the evaluators and at the overall analysis, the postoperative angle is, on average, 108.1% higher than the preoperative angle. The variability of the relative difference between both angles is very high (CV > 1.5), and the largest differences found, > 40°, constitute outliers in the evaluation distributions. The boxplots of the relative differences between the pre- and postoperative angles are shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows that the differences > 250% of the preoperative angle are atypical, outliers at the distribution. The relative differences between the angle measurements do not follow normal distribution, since they presented p-values< 5% at both normality tests and for both evaluators. When comparing the relative differences between the pre and post-operative angles from both evaluators by the Wilcoxon test, the p-value was 0.666, leading to the conclusion that there was no significant difference between the relative angle variations between the 2 evaluators.

Fig. 3
Distributions of pre- and postoperative Böhler angle measurement relative differences (%) for each evaluator and global distribution.

Fig. 4
Relationship between the relative angle difference and the preoperative Böhler angle measurement for evaluators 1 and 2.

Table 6
Main statistical values regarding the difference between pre- and postoperative Böhler angle measures in relation to the pre-operative angle for each evaluator and global distribution

Fig. 4 also shows the relationship between the relative angle difference and the preoperative BA measurements according to evaluators 1 and 2. The graph shows an inverse function curve that explains well the behavior of the two variables as [(R)]2 > 0.50.

Fig. 5 shows the relationship between the relative angle difference and the preoperative BA measurement at the overall analysis with no evaluator discrimination. The overall relationship between the relative angle difference and the preoperative BA measurement is also well explained by an inverse function as [(R)]2 = 0.50.

Fig. 5
Relationship between the relative angle difference and the preoperative Böhler angle measurement, global evaluation.

Figs. 4 and 5 and the data show the relative postoperative angle difference is higher for smaller preoperative angles and decreases as the preoperative angle increases. The farther the preoperative angle is from the normal range, from 20° to 40°, the greater the relative postoperative angle difference. When the preoperative angle is within the normal range of 20° to 40°, the relative BA difference ranges from 6.0 to 80.0%, with a low variability around the mean difference of 28.0%. When the preoperative angles are outside the normal range, the relative BA difference ranges from -6.0 to 1,150.0%, with a high variability around the mean difference of 163.2%. That is, if the preoperative BA value is in the normal range, the postoperative angle will be, on average, 1.28 times the preoperative value; if the preoperative BA value is outside the normal range, the postoperative BA value will be, on average, 17.3 times the preoperative angle.

Agreement Analysis between Evaluators

Table 7 shows the agreement analysis between the angle measurements performed by two evaluators. Regarding absolute agreement, both evaluators assigned the same measurement to the angle in only one case. However, the difference between measurements from the 2 evaluators did not exceed 4° in the preoperative analysis and 6° in the postoperative analysis. Overall, the agreement between the evaluators is excellent, both regarding the estimated point value, equal to 0.98, and the ICC CI, fully within the excellent agreement range, from 0.8 to 1.0. At the pre- and postoperative measurements, point and interval ICC estimates show excellent agreement between the two evaluators. The p-values of the F tests for ICC values are not reported here, but all of them were < 0.0001, indicating that the ICC values are all significantly non-zero. Corroborating the results of the excellent agreement analysis between the two values, the p-values of the Student-t test comparing the measurements from both evaluators were all > 5.0%, showing that there was no significant difference between the angle measurements from both evaluators. The agreement analysis between the two evaluators showed that their angle assessments were different, but not significantly, presenting the same level of measurement expertise.

Table 7
Agreement analysis between the angles measured by both evaluators during pre- and postoperative evaluations and global distribution

Discussion

Based on the results of the statistical analysis of the present study in 31 patients with deviated calcaneal fractures, it was found that a higher preoperative BA value, which would mean a fracture with less deviation, had an average variation of 28% (6.0 to 80.0%), and was associated with a postoperative angle 1.28 times higher. However, the lower the preoperative BA, which would mean a fracture with greater deviation, had a mean variation of 162.2% (ranging from 6.0 to 1,150.0%), and it was associated with a postoperative angle 17.3 times higher. It has been shown that the surgeon tends to anatomically reduce more severe fractures than those with minor deviations. The present study has also confirmed a good interobserver correlation for BAs.

Most of the literature analyzing the BA emphasizes angle restoration and prognosis significance. Although some authors suggest that BA restoration may have no effect on outcomes, most studies show that BA restoration guides anatomical reduction and improves outcomes.1010 Loucks C, Buckley R. Bohler's angle: correlation with outcome in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. J Orthop Trauma 1999;13(08):554-558 1515 Di Schino M, Bensaïda M, Vandenbussche E, Augereau B, Nich C. [Results of open reduction and cortico-cancellous autograft of intra-articular calcaneal fractures according to Palmer]. Rev Chir Orthop Repar Appar Mot 2008;94(02):135-144 1616 Cave EF. Fracture of the os calcis-the problem in general. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1963;30(30):64-66 1717 Hildebrand KA, Buckley RE, Mohtadi NG, Faris P. Functional outcome measures after displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1996;78(01):119-123 1818 Kitaoka HB, Schaap EJ, Chao EY, An KN. Displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus treated non-operatively. Clinical results and analysis of motion and ground-reaction and temporal forces. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1994;76(10):1531-1540 1919 Lindsay WR, Dewar FP. Fractures of the os calcis. Am J Surg 1958; 95(04):555-576 2020 Paley D, Hall H. Intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus. A critical analysis of results and prognostic factors. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1993;75(03):342-354 2121 Pillai A, Basappa P, Ehrendorfer S. Modified Essex-Lopresti / Westheus reduction for displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus. Description of surgical technique and early outcomes. Acta Orthop Belg 2007;73(01):83-87 2222 Hutchinson F III, Huebner MK. Treatment of os calcis fractures by open reduction and internal fixation. Foot Ankle Int 1994;15(05): 225-232 2323 O'Brien J, Buckley R,McCormack R, Pate G, Leighton R, Petrie D, et al. Personal gait satisfaction after displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures: a 2-8 year followup. Foot Ankle Int 2004;25(09): 657-665 2424 Jiang SD, Jiang LS, Dai LY. Surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures with use of beta-tricalcium phosphate ceramic grafting. Foot Ankle Int 2008;29(10):1015-1019 Similarly, there is great evidence in the literature that a very low initial BA angle in calcaneal fractures is a prognostic factor and a predictor of poor outcome.1010 Loucks C, Buckley R. Bohler's angle: correlation with outcome in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. J Orthop Trauma 1999;13(08):554-558 2020 Paley D, Hall H. Intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus. A critical analysis of results and prognostic factors. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1993;75(03):342-354 2525 Shuler FD, Conti SF, Gruen GS, Abidi NA. Wound-healing risk factors after open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fractures: does correction of Bohler's angle alter outcomes? Orthop Clin North Am 2001;32(01):187-192, x 2626 Csizy M, Buckley R, Tough S, Leighton R,Smith J,McCormack R, et al. Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: variables predicting late subtalar fusion. J Orthop Trauma 2003;17(02):106-112

The present study used a cutoff angle of ≤ 20° to define most severe fractures based on Isaacs et al,2727 Isaacs JD, Baba M, Huang P, Symes M, Guzman M, NandapalanH, et al. The diagnostic accuracy of Böhler's angle in fractures of the calcaneus. J Emerg Med 2013;45(06):879-884 who proved that the BA is most accurate in determining the presence or absence of fracture. Their observations suggest that BA accuracy can make it suitable as a screening tool in the diagnosis of calcaneal fracture. They have also demonstrated another important aspect, that the cutoff angle of ≤ 20° is independent of the angle before the fracture. Consequently, it would not be necessary to measure the BA value on the contralateral side in patients with calcaneal fractures.

Although the literature has demonstrated that the BA has good credibility, many classifications and measures are deemed unreliable.2828 Neyt JG,Weinstein SL, Spratt KF, Dolan L,Morcuende J, Dietz FR, et al. Stulberg classification system for evaluation of Legg-Calvé- Perthes disease: intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1999;81(09):1209-1216 2929 Andersen DJ, Blair WF, Steyers CM Jr, Adams BD, el-Khouri GY, Brandser EA. Classification of distal radius fractures: an analysis of interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility. J Hand Surg Am 1996;21(04):574-582 3030 Carman DL, Browne RH, Birch JG. Measurement of scoliosis and kyphosis radiographs. Intraobserver and interobserver variation. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1990;72(03):328-333 3131 Bernstein J, Adler LM, Blank JE, Dalsey RM, Williams GR, Iannotti JP. Evaluation of the Neer system of classification of proximal humeral fractures with computerized tomographic scans and plain radiographs. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1996;78 (09):1371-1375 The most common justifications include lack of observer training, nonuniform and poor quality radiographic images, and vague and inaccurate ratings. Another source of difficulty for angle measurement may be an overlap of the synthesis material to the reference points in the postoperative period. Otero et al3232 Otero JE,Westerlind BO, Tantavisut S, KaramMD, Phisitkul P, Akoh CC, et al. There is poor reliability of Böhler's angle and the crucial angle of Gissane in assessing displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Foot Ankle Surg 2015;21(04):277-281 demonstrated that even with trained observers and with an adequate configuration in BA radiographic measurement, interpretation differences are common. Gonzalez et al3333 Gonzalez TA, Ehrlichman LK, Macaulay AA, Gitajn IL, Toussaint RJ, Zurakowski D, et al. Determining measurement error for Bohler's angle and the effect of X-ray obliquity on accuracy. Foot Ankle Spec 2016;9(05):409-416 found a 6° error measurement for BA. Two factors that increased error included a low level of observer training, such as increased obliquity on lateral radiographs. These authors observed that this difference was only seen when the radiography was made with a very oblique angle (anterior at 20° and caudal at 15°). In order to avoid discrepancies and to minimize potential risks of BA measurement failures, the measurements were previously defined, using properly trained observers and a measurement protocol; moreover, the performance of the evaluators was tested, and radiographs with low quality for measurements were excluded.

As described by Bland and Altman,3434 Bland JM, Altman DG. Measurement error. BMJ 1996;313 (7059):744 repeated measurements on the same subject range around a true value, since the measurement error and the SD of repeated measurements allows the determination of the error size. In our study, we have used the CV, that is, the measure used to estimate the experimental accuracy, and we have verified that BA measurements presented high variability among the 31 evaluated patients. The results demonstrated, both for the evaluators and the overall sample, that the angle increased significantly after the surgery. The postoperative angle was, on average, 10.6° higher than in the preoperative period, and there was no significant difference in the variation of the angles among observers (p= 0.761). It is noteworthy that the relative difference observed in the postoperative BA value was higher for lower preoperative angles, and that it decreases as the preoperative angle increases. The more distant the preoperative angle is from the normal range, from 20° to 40°, the greater the relative difference after the surgery. When the preoperative angle is within the normal range of 20° to 40°, the relative BA difference assumes values of 6.0 to 80.0%, with low variability around the mean difference of 28.0%. When the preoperative angles are outside the normal range, the relative BA difference assumes values of -6.0 to 1,150.0%, with a high variability around the mean difference of 163.2%. That is, if the preoperative BA is in the normal range, the postoperative angle will be, on average, 1.28 times the preoperative angle; if the preoperative BA is outside the normal range, the postoperative BA will be, on average, 17.3 times the preoperative angle.

The ICC estimates the fraction of the total variability of measures due to variations between individuals. Otero et al3232 Otero JE,Westerlind BO, Tantavisut S, KaramMD, Phisitkul P, Akoh CC, et al. There is poor reliability of Böhler's angle and the crucial angle of Gissane in assessing displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Foot Ankle Surg 2015;21(04):277-281 did not observe a significant difference in the ICC for the inter- or intraobserver BA measurement in both preoperative and postoperative radiographs. The present study showed that the difference between measurements did not exceed 4° in the preoperative measurement and 6° in the postoperative measurement by analyzing the agreement between results from the 2 evaluators. Overall, the agreement among the evaluators was excellent (equal to 0.98). In the pre- and postoperative measurements, estimates of point and interval ICC show excellent agreement between the two evaluators.

There are some limitations in the present study that may have influenced the results. It was a retrospective study with a small number of evaluators, with radiographs made for daily clinical care instead of research purposes, which could alter and affect angle measurements. Therefore, we have excluded some radiographs that could generate measurement doubts. An intraobserver analysis was not performed.

Conclusion

In the present study, the BA was evaluated at two moments, pre- and postoperative, by two evaluators. In the overall analysis, the postoperative BA measurements were, on average, significantly higher than the preoperative values. The relative difference observed in the angle after the surgery was higher for lower preoperative angle values and decreases as the preoperative values increases. The farther the preoperative angle was from the normal range, from 20° to 40°, the greater the angle difference after the surgery. When the preoperative angle was within the normal range of 20° to 40°, the postoperative angle was, on average, 1.28 times the preoperative angle; if the preoperative BA value was outside the normal range, the postoperative angle was, on average, 17.3 times the preoperative angle. Most severe fractures present better anatomical outcomes when compared with moderate fractures. The present study has also confirmed a good interobserver correlation for BA.

References

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    Tomesen T, Biert J, Frölke JPM. Treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures with closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2011;93(10):920-928
  • 2
    Eastwood DM, Langkamer VG, Atkins RM. Intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum. Part II: Open reduction and internal fixation by the extended lateral transcalcaneal approach. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1993;75(02):189-195
  • 3
    Johnson EE, Gebhardt JS. Surgical management of calcaneal fractures using bilateral incisions and minimal internal fixation. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1993;(290):117-124
  • 4
    Leung KS, Chan WS, ShenWY, Pak PP, So WS, Leung PC. Operative treatment of intraarticular fractures of the os calcis-the role of rigid internal fixation and primary bone grafting: preliminary results. J Orthop Trauma 1989;3(03):232-240
  • 5
    O'Farrell DA, O'Byrne JM, McCabe JP, Stephens MM. Fractures of the os calcis: improved resultswith internal fixation. Injury 1993; 24(04):263-265
  • 6
    Parkes JC 2nd. The nonreductive treatment for fractures of the Os calcis. Orthop Clin North Am 1973;4(01):193-195
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    Böhler L. Diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of fractures of the os calcis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1931;13(01):75-89
  • 8
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    Work developed at the Serviço de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Hospital Santa Teresa, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    03 June 2019
  • Date of issue
    Mar-Apr 2019

History

  • Received
    16 Aug 2017
  • Accepted
    07 Dec 2017
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E-mail: rbo@sbot.org.br