Tibial Lengthening and Intramedullary Nail Fixation for Hindfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy

Hindfoot and ankle Charcot neuroarthropathy is a challenging condition to treat, specifically with segmental bone defects secondary to avascular necrosis or infection. Several techniques exist alongside continued challenges of nonunion and complication rates. The authors assert that combining distal tibial distraction osteogenesis with external fixation in tibiocalcaneal or tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis should be considered an effective method for management of complex Charcot neuroarthropathy conditions of the ankle. This staged procedure technique resulted in a high rate of union in patients who are often considered a high risk for nonunion, as well as eradication of infection, minimal soft tissue disruption, and improvement in limb length.