Abstract:[Objective] To compare the clinical efficacy of two incisions for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in the treat- ment of intraarticular calcaneus fractures. [Methods] From March 2016 to January 2020, a total of 35 patients received surgical treatment for calcaneal fractures in our department. The patients were divided into two groups by random number table method, and received ORIF. Of them, 16 patients in the minimally invasive group had ORIF performed through tarsal sinus incision, while the other 19 patients in the conventional group were through the conventional lateral L-shaped incision. The perioperative, follow-up and imaging data were compared between the two groups. [Results] The minimally invasive group proved significantly superior to the conventional group in terms of opera- tion time, blood loss, incision length, incision healing and hospital stay (P<0.05) , but the former had significantly greater number of intraop- erative fluoroscopy than the latter (P<0.05) . All the 35 patients were followed up for more than 12 months. There was no statistically signifi- cant difference in the time to return to full weight-bearing activity between the two groups (P>0.05) . The VAS scores decreased significant- ly (P<0.05) , whereas the AOFAS and Maryland scores increased significantly over time in both groups (P<0.05) . At any corresponding time points, there was no significant difference in the above scores between the two groups (P>0.05) . Radiographically, all patients in both groups got fracture healing well, with significant improvements of calcaneal width, height, and length as well as Gissane angle and Bohler angle at the latest follow-up compared with those preoperatively (P<0.05) . However, there was no significant difference in aforesaid imag- ing measures between the two groups at any matching time points (P>0.05) . [Conclusion] Both tarsal sinus incision and the conventional lateral L-shaped incision for ORIF of intra-articular calcaneal fractures achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes, by comparison, the tarsal si- nus incision has a benefit of minimizing iatrogenic trauma.