A Proposed Treatment Algorithm for Midfoot Charcot Arthropathy

Abstract

Charcot arthropathy (CA) is an insidious, destructive, and disabling pathology of the foot and ankle. Efficient and effective treatment is therefore required to improve clinical outcomes and to reduce overall mortality risk. The purpose of this case series report is to propose a treatment algorithm for correcting deformity and restoring a plantigrade, shoeable foot in patients with midfoot CA. While there is no clear evidence in the literature favoring either internal or external fixation methods, it may be appropriate to use both techniques during most deformity correction cases. Depending on the presence of ulceration, single-stage and multi-stage reconstruction with either biplanar or aggressive resection can effectively address the presentation of nonviable tissue and a wide degree of variable deformity. Following midfoot reduction, medial column plating and circular external frame can be used together to effectively stabilize and protect the correction and construct. In all cases, the aim is to immediately place the patient into a Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker boot, with the ultimate goal of transitioning to diabetic shoeing as quickly as possible.