Surgical Management of the Unstable Diabetic Charcot Deformity Using the Taylor Spatial Frame

The surgical repair of unstable acute and chronic Charcot foot and ankle deformities remain a challenge with little guidance available in the medical literature regarding surgical intervention with the use of external fixation devices and specifically the Taylor Spatial Frame. The authors present a brief review of the diabetic Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy process and a detailed review of their approach to surgical intervention using the Taylor Spatial Frame. In this regard, a detailed “step-by-step” guide through the foot specific Taylor Spatial Frame computer-based system is provided.