Limb Salvage in an Unstable Ankle Fracture of a Diabetic Patient With Charcot Arthropathy

Abstract

The treatment of ankle fractures in the presence of diabetes mellitus can be difficult because of a higher complication rate with this subset of the population. When peripheral neuropathy is present at the time of trauma, there is an increased risk of developing Charcot arthropathy, a limb-threatening complication that often creates breakdown, instability, and chronic ulceration of the limb. The authors present a case report of a diabetic patient who sustained an unstable ankle fracture with subsequent neuroarthropathic event that required multiple surgical procedures for salvage of the limb.