Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Dec 2020
Mid-term walking ability after Charcot foot reconstruction using the Ilizarov ring fixator.
Failed conservative treatment and complications are indications for foot reconstruction in Charcot arthropathy. External fixation using the Ilizarov principles offers a one-stage procedure for deformity correction and resection of osteomyelitic bone. The aim of this study was to determine whether external fixation with an Ilizarov ring fixator leads reliably to walking ability. ⋯ Foot reconstruction with an Ilizarov ring fixator led to limb salvage in 93%. The vast majority (96.3%) of patients with successful limb salvage was ambulatory, independent from radiologic fusion, and presence of osteomyelitis at the time of reconstruction. These findings encourage limb salvage and deformity correction in this difficult-to-treat disease, even with underlying osteomyelitis.