Cementless total ankle arthroplasty in diabetic neuropathic arthropathy.

BACKGROUND

Neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) is a progressive degenerative disease of a joint that may lead to severe deformity and dysfunction and it is now recognized that diabetes is the leading cause of Charcot joint. When the ankle is involved and conservative treatment fails arthrodesis has commonly been performed, whereas arthroplasty has previously been considered to be contraindicated. A total ankle arthroplasty in Charcot ankle has not been previously reported.

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 45-year old, diabetic woman with unilateral Charcot ankle.

CONCLUSIONS

The woman successfully completed a rehabilitation programme and, 2 years after total ankle arthroplasty, achieved independence.