Antibiotic-loaded cement beads for Charcot ankle osteomyelitis.

The concomitant presence of osteomyelitis and diabetic Charcot neuroarthropathy of the foot and ankle places those patients affected at increased risk for limb loss. Antibiotic-loaded cement has been reported to be useful in the treatment of deep soft tissue and joint infections. The authors present an overview of this adjunctive treatment modality and present a case report using antibiotic-loaded cement beads in staged reconstruction for Charcot ankle osteomyelitis.