Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Arthrodesis ; Arthropathy, Neurogenic/surgery* ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo discuss the results of total knee arthroplasty undertaken for Charcot arthritis patients.

METHODSBetween September 2000 and January 2007, 4 consecutive patients (2 men and 2 women; 5 TKAs) with Charcot arthritic knees were treated. At the time of surgery, the mean age of the patients was 67.3 years (64 to 72 years). One had bilateral and 2 had unilateral TKA and one had ipsilateral total hip and total knee arthroplasty. The mean knee society score before operation was 33.75 points.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up was 65 months (19 to 96 months). The mean knee society score post-operation had improved to 95.25 points in 5 TKAs with no occurrence of infection and loosening. All 4 patients were very satisfactory with the clinical results at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSThe midterm follow-up data indicated that total knee arthroplasty to treat Charcot arthritis could get good clinical results. The postoperative results in Charcot arthritis were closed related with the proper prosthesis and surgical technique.

Aged ; Arthropathy, Neurogenic ; surgery ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome