Revisional Charcot Foot and Ankle Surgery

Charcot neuroarthropathy is often a devastating diabetic foot complication that poses a great risk for limb loss and can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life in the presence of multiple existing comorbidities. It is a progressive and debilitating condition characterized by joint dislocation, pathologic fracture(s), and extensive destruction of the foot or ankle architecture secondary to dense peripheral neuropathy. This pathologic process can be idiopathic, secondary to acute trauma or previous surgery, or attributable to repetitive “microinjury.” Once the Charcot process has been initiated, continued ambulation results in progressive collapse and deformity. Severe deformities can have an impact on the patient's ambulatory status, and when associated with instability, ulceration, or infection, there is greater risk for a major limb amputation.