J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2010 Dec;14(2):140-145.

Ankle Arthrodesis using Cannulated Screws & Hybrid Type Rigid External Fixation in Diabetic Charcot Neuroarthropathy

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. osmedic@ajou.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
The diabetic charcot neuroarthropathy of ankle is an infrequent site (around 5%), but is definitely the location that, because of the instability and progressive deformity it involves, cause ulceration in a high percentage of patients, and this can then become a reason for amputation. However, the treatment of this disastrous disease is still challenging. We analyzed the clinical and radiological results of ankle arthrodesis by our fixation method in Charcot neuroarthropathy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seven cases that were diagnosed as charcot neuroarthropathy of ankle arthrodesis were followed for more than 16 months postoperatively. Mean age was 57 years, and the mean follow-up period was 27 months. Anterior approach was used in arthrodesis, and internal fixation by 3 or more cannulated screws and hybrid type external fixation were used. Auto iliac bone for grafting was combined in all cases. External fixator was kept for 3 months without weight-bearing. Then, boots brace was applied for more 3 months allowing partial weight-bearing. Four cases had minor complications such as pin site infection. Preoperative and postoperative AOFAS score, time to fusion and postoperative complications were checked.
RESULTS
Postoperative fusion was completed in all cases, and the mean time to fusion was 3.4 months. No postoperative complication was checked. At the last follow-up, the mean AOFAS score had increased from 54 points to 72 points. Patient's satisfaction was over 80%.
CONCLUSION
Satisfactory results were obtained after ankle arthrodesis using internal and hybrid type external fixation combined with auto iliac bone graft in charcot neuroarthropathy with minor complications.

Keyword

Ankle; Charcot neuroarthropathy; Arthrodesis; Hybrid type external fixation

MeSH Terms

Amputation
Animals
Ankle
Arthrodesis
Braces
Chimera
Congenital Abnormalities
External Fixators
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Postoperative Complications
Transplants
Ulcer
Weight-Bearing
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