Clinical study on Ilizarov technique combined with steel needle internal fixation for 12 patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy of foot and ankle.
10.7507/1002-1892.202503098
- Author:
Pu CHEN
1
;
Hua GUAN
1
;
Enhui FENG
1
;
Jiachang LIANG
1
;
Yiyin XU
1
;
Jianbo HE
1
;
Weiming HUANG
1
;
Jiewei XIE
1
Author Information
1. Department of Foot and Ankle Trauma, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Charcot neuroarthropathy;
Ilizarov technique;
arthrodesis;
foot and ankle;
steel needle
- MeSH:
Humans;
Middle Aged;
Male;
Female;
Adult;
Ilizarov Technique;
Arthropathy, Neurogenic/surgery*;
Aged;
Ankle Joint/surgery*;
Treatment Outcome;
Needles;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*;
Steel;
Young Adult;
Foot Joints/surgery*
- From:
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery
2025;39(8):1008-1013
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Ilizarov technique combined with steel needle internal fixation in treating Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) of the foot and ankle.
METHODS:Between June 2020 and December 2023, 12 patients with Eichenholtz stage Ⅲ CN of the foot and ankle were treated with Ilizarov technique and steel needle internal fixation. There were 9 males and 3 females with an average age of 48.6 years (range, 19-66 years). The disease duration ranged from 1 to 16 months (mean, 6.8 months). Ankle joint involvement predominated in 7 cases, while midfoot involvement occurred in 5 cases; 3 cases presented with skin ulceration and soft tissue infection. Preoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 31.2±9.0, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36)-Physical Component Summary (PCS) score was 32.6±6.8, and Mental Component Summary (MCS) score was 47.8±8.4. Postoperative assessments included wound healing, regular X-ray film/CT evaluations of fusion status, and effectiveness via AOFAS and SF-36-PCS, MCS scores.
RESULTS:All operations were successfully completed without neurovascular complication. Two patients experienced delayed wound healing requiring intervention, and the others achieved primary healing. All patients were followed up 15-43 months (mean, 23.3 months). Imaging confirmed successful joint fusion within 13-21 weeks (mean, 16.8 weeks). At last follow-up, the AOFAS score was 72.5±6.4, and the SF-36-PCS and MCS scores were 63.2±8.4 and 76.7±5.3, respectively, all of which improved compared to preoperative levels, with significant differences ( P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:Ilizarov technique combined with steel needle internal fixation effectively restores walking function and achieves satisfactory short-term effectiveness in CN of the foot and ankle.
