Midfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy Research Articles

Surgical procedures and complications in midfoot Charcot neuroarthropathy

Surgical procedures and complications in midfoot Charcot neuroarthropathy

Midtarsal Reconstructive Arthrodesis Using a Multi-Axial Correction Fixator in Charcot Midfoot Arthropathy.

Reconstructive surgeries for Charcot foot are challenging due to complicated conditions and comorbidities including poor bone quality, sensory abnormalities, poor vascularity, and immunity impairment. Although various fixation devices, including screws, plates, and external fixators, have been used in the surgical reconstruction of the Charcot midfoot, all of these devices are associated with some disadvantages. This study aims to evaluate the outcome of the Multi-Axial Correction (MAC) monolateral external fixation system for the reconstructive surgery of midfoot Charcot neuroarthropathy. A total of 11 feet with midfoot Charcot arthropathy were treated surgically using the MAC fixation system solely or accompanied with minimal internal fixation. The mean postoperative follow-up was 29 (range = 12-44) months. The mean postoperative timing of the MAC system removal was 8.7 (range = 5-14) weeks. No pin tract infections were observed. All patients went on to successful union and correction of a rocker bottom deformity. No cases resulted in limb amputation. All patients were able to ambulate with custom diabetic shoes and insoles in 9 patients (10 feet) and commercially available shoes in 1 patient (1 foot). This study suggests that the MAC system can be an acceptable, easy option for the surgical treatment of midfoot Charcot arthropathy. Therapeutic, Level IV: Case series.

Midfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy in Patients With Diabetes: The Impact of Foot Ulceration on Self-Reported Quality of Life.

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) and diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) are serious complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) that can result in infection, hospitalization, amputation, and have been shown to negatively affect quality of life (QOL). To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies in the literature that have specifically compared QOL in patients with diabetic CN without DFU to a group of patients with diabetic CN and concurrent DFU. The aim of this study was to compare self-reported assessments of QOL in patients with CN to a group of patients with CN and concomitant midfoot ulceration. We compared a group of 35 diabetic patients with midfoot CN and no ulcer to a group of 22 diabetic patients with midfoot CN and concurrent DFU. Self-reported outcome was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). No significant differences were found when comparing the 2 groups utilizing the SF-36 and FAAM with the exception that CN patients without foot ulcers had lower mean scores on the Bodily Pain Subscale. Both groups demonstrated negative impact on physical QOL and lower extremity function to a greater degree than mental QOL. The presence of ulceration does not appear to significantly impact QOL in patients with CN when compared to patients with CN without ulceration. Prognostic, Level III: Case control.

Radiographic analysis of diabetic midfoot charcot neuroarthropathy with and without midfoot ulceration.

The aim of this study was to evaluate weight-bearing radiographs in patients with and without foot ulcers diagnosed with midfoot Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) secondary to diabetes mellitus. One hundred fourteen patients with midfoot CN (50 with foot ulcers and 64 without ulcers) were identified and included in this study. Nine radiographic measurements were made (7 in the sagittal plane and 2 in the transverse plane). CN patients with foot ulcers had significantly greater deformity when assessing the lateral-talar first metatarsal angle, calcaneal pitch, cuboid height, medial column height, calcaneal-fifth metatarsal angle, talar declination, and lateral tibiotalar angle. Two measurements in the transverse plane (hindfoot-forefoot angle and AP talar first metatarsal angle) were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Of patients with foot ulcers, 24% had a lateral talar first metatarsal angle of less than -27 degrees and 80% had a negative cuboid height. Sagittal plane deformities were more likely to be associated with foot ulceration in patients with CN than transverse plane deformities. Lateral column involvement was associated with a worse prognosis than medial column involvement, thus we believe progressive deformity of the lateral column should be monitored closely to prevent foot ulceration. Lateral column involvement could be identified by a decrease in the cuboid height, decreased calcaneal pitch, and decreased lateral calcaneal fifth metatarsal angle. This study can assist physicians in stratifying the risk for both ulceration and need for surgery in patients with CN based on reproducible radiographic measurements. Level III, comparative series.

Triggering mechanisms of neuroarthropathy following conservative surgery for osteomyelitis

The purpose of this study was to raise awareness and stimulate discussion of the possible triggering factors of Charcot neuroarthropathy by presenting the case of one patient who had both undergone surgery and was suffering from osteomyelitis. We have extracted one case from our data set for a patient who underwent conservative surgery for osteomyelitis and subsequently developed acute Charcot in the midfoot. We present the clinical findings, photographs and X-ray studies. Preoperative X-ray showed irregular severe bone destruction in the fourth metatarsal head and a fracture of the fourth metatarsal bone. No signs of midfoot Charcot neuroarthropathy were found in this preoperative X-ray. The third and fourth metatarsal bones were both removed and the surgical wound was left open to heal by second intention. Histopathological study confirmed osteomyelitis in the bone sample. Twenty-five days after surgery, the surgical wound showed no signs of infection and healing progressed in a satisfactory way. However, the foot was swollen, erythematous and warm. Skin temperature was two degrees higher than the contralateral foot. X-ray was taken and acute neuroarthropathy of the tarso-metatarsal joints was diagnosed. Charcot neuroarthropathy appears to have been triggered by bone infection and/or surgery. We believe that the pivotal factor in the development of acute Charcot neuroarthropathy in this case was the weight bearing in the deformed foot so soon after the operation. Immobilization of the foot is critical as it serves to decrease the inflammation which has a key role in the development of Charcot neuroarthropathy.

Radiographic Measures as a Predictor of Ulcer Formation in Diabetic Charcot Midfoot

Plantar midfoot ulceration in diabetic patients with midfoot Charcot neuroarthropathy is a risk factor for infection that can require amputation. The aim of this study was to determine a simple radiographic predictor of the individual risk of subsequent ulcer formation in this group of patients. A retrospective review of all patients seen at our institution between January 1998 and July 2004 with diabetic Charcot neuroarthropathy was performed. Exclusion criteria were previous reconstructive foot surgery, absence of weightbearing foot radiographs and absent pedal pulses. Patient charts were reviewed for demographics, diabetic co-morbidities, and presence of midfoot skin pathology (plantar callus and/or ulceration). Weightbearing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were assessed using standard measurements. Nineteen patients with radiographs of 24 feet were included. Fifty-eight percent were female, and the mean age was 54 (SD +/- 13) years. Ninety-five percent had type II diabetes mellitus, and the median duration of illness was 20 (range, 14 to 25) years. Midfoot ulceration and callus formation were seen in 6 (25%) and 2 feet, respectively. When radiographic measures of feet with and without midfoot skin pathology were compared, the lateral talar-first metatarsal angle was significantly associated with skin pathology (p < 0.001). The lateral talar-first metatarsal angle measured on weightbearing radiographs is a simple means of monitoring patients' risk of development of midfoot ulceration. Only patients with a lateral talar-first metatarsal angle of greater than -27 degrees had an ulcer. This may be a clinically useful threshold for increased risk of the development of ulceration in midfoot diabetic neuroarthropathy.

Single stage correction with external fixation of the ulcerated foot in individuals with Charcot neuroarthropathy.

The ulcerated foot in individuals with Charcot neuroarthropathy presents a complex problem when correction of the deformity is necessary but the presence of infection precludes the use of internal fixation. We reviewed 11 patients with midfoot Charcot neuroarthropathy, collapse, and ulceration who were at risk for amputation. These patients underwent operative debridement, corrective osteotomy, external skeletal fixation and culture-directed antibiotic therapy as a limb salvage procedure. Patients were transitioned from the external fixator (average 57 days) to total contact casting (average 131 days) and all subsequently progressed to therapeutic footwear in 12 to 49 months of follow-up (average 24 months), except one patient whose medical decline resulted in bedrest. We believe that when performed in properly selected patients, this procedure presents an alternative to amputation and, via corrective osteotomy, results in a shoe-able, functional foot that is potentially less prone to ulceration.