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External fixation of Charcot arthropathy
1Central Indiana Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Muncie, Indiana 3600 West Bethel Ave Muncie, IN 47304, USA. steve.herbst@att.net
Foot and Ankle Clinics
|August 25, 2004
Summary
Charcot arthropathy often causes foot deformity and ulceration. External fixation offers a viable surgical alternative to internal fixation, especially for complex cases with high infection risks.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Charcot arthropathy frequently leads to foot deformity, instability, and ulceration.
- Traditional treatments include debridement, antibiotics, immobilization, and bracing (e.g., CROW walker, AFO).
- Conservative measures may fail, necessitating surgical intervention for unbraceable deformities, recurrent ulcerations, or intractable pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the role of external fixation in managing complex Charcot arthropathy cases.
- To present external fixation as an alternative to internal fixation, particularly in patients with a history of ulceration.
Main Methods:
- Review of surgical indications for Charcot arthropathy, including conservative treatment failures and acute traumatic situations.
- Discussion of high infection rates (25%) associated with internal fixation in ulcerated feet.
- Exploration of external fixation as a primary or adjunctive treatment modality.
Main Results:
- External fixation is considered a viable alternative due to high infection rates with internal fixation.
- External fixation is suitable for single-stage correction of ulcerated limbs, revision surgeries, and acute fracture treatment.
Conclusions:
- External fixation presents a promising option for complex Charcot arthropathy, especially in patients with ulceration or high infection risk.
- This approach may improve outcomes in revision cases and acute insufficiency fractures in diabetic patients with neuropathy.