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Successful treatment of nonunion with an Ilizarov ring fixator after ankle fracture for Charcot arthropathy: a case report.

Authors :
Koji Nozaka
Yoichi Shimada
Yoshiaki Kimura
Shin Yamada
Takeshi Kashiwagura
Tsutomu Sakuraba
Ikuko Wakabayashi
Source :
BMC Research Notes; 8/7/2014, Vol. 7, p1-5, 5p, 1 Color Photograph, 3 Black and White Photographs, 1 Chart
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

Background: Ankle fractures in patients with diabetes mellitus have long been recognized as a challenge to orthopedic surgeons. Nonunion and lengthy wound healing in high-risk patients with diabetes, particularly patients with peripheral arterial disease and renal failure, occur secondary to several clinical conditions and are often fraught with complications. Whether diabetic ankle fractures are best treated noninvasively or surgically is controversial. Case presentation: A 53-year-old Japanese man fractured his right ankle. The fractured ankle was treated nonsurgically with a plaster cast. Although he remained non-weight-bearing for 3 months, radiography at 3 months showed nonunion. The nonunion was treated by Ilizarov external fixation of the ankle. The external fixator was removed 99 days postoperatively, at which time the patient exhibited anatomical and functional recovery and was able to walk without severe complications. Conclusion: In patients with diabetes mellitus, severe nonunion of ankle fractures with Charcot arthropathy in which the fracture fragment diameter is very small and the use of internal fixation is difficult is a clinical challenge. Ilizarov external fixation allows suitable fixation to be achieved using multiple Ilizarov wires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17560500
Volume :
7
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
BMC Research Notes
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
131657924
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-7-503