2025 Volume 6 Issue 1 Pages 46-51
A 51-year-old male was admitted to our hospital due to swelling and heat in the left lower leg and deformity of the left foot. Bone destruction and valgus deformity of the left ankle joint were observed, leading to a diagnosis of diabetic Charcot foot and cellulitis. After antibiotic treatment, traction was applied to the left ankle joint using a circular external fixator（Taylor Spatial Frame® : Smith & Nephew）, and the valgus deformity was gradually corrected over a 4-week postoperative period. Ankle arthrodesis was performed 11 weeks after external fixation, using the ipsilateral fibula as a graft. The circular external fixator was removed 12 weeks after ankle arthrodesis. Three years and six months post-surgery, the patient was able to walk without a brace, and X-rays showed no ankle joint deformity, and evidence of bony union was found.
Deformity correction using circular external fixation is an effective treatment modality for diabetic Charcot foot with risk of infection and contracture. It is important to prevent contracture of the toes during external fixation and to select footwear and orthotics appropriate for the foot and gait after removal of the external fixator. Moreover, rehabilitation focusing on gait training is necessary.
