[Reconstructive surgery for Charcot foot. Long-term 5-year outcome]

Diabetic neuropathic osteoarthropathy (DNOAP) often leads to progressive malpositioning of the foot with subsequent ulcers and a high risk of amputation. There are very few reliable studies on long-term outcome. This study includes the largest follow- up collective ever carried out.

In a retrospective study 205 surgical procedures (195 patients) for complex malpositioning of the foot and/or chronic ulcers using a fixateur externe (188 cases) or Steinmann pins (17 cases) in patients with NOAP were included. The average follow-up time was 21 months. The goal was walking without pain in customized orthopedic shoes and avoiding amputation.

No primary amputations were necessary. Patient activity improved by more than 1 level according to the classification for lower limb amputees following the Hofer activity score. The most common minor complication was persistence or recurrence of ulcers in 48 patients. Only 7 new recurrences of NOAP were observed. In 15 patients secondary amputation was necessary. Approximately 50% of the patients could be mobilized with the help of customized orthopedic shoes 18 months after surgery.

By using a fixateur externe many amputations could be avoided and patient's activity could be improved. The interdisciplinary teamwork between an orthopedic surgeon, orthopedic shoemaker and orthopedic technician is essential for long term success.