We report a rare case of MRSA arthritis of the Charcot elbow due to syringomyelia. A 60-year-old woman had been suffering swelling and mild pain in her left elbow for 2 months. Her left elbow had local heat and abnormal instability and showed severe destructive change, dislocation and formation of ectopic ossification, and calcification. Debridement and synovectomy were performed with continuous closed irrigation and intravenous antibiotic therapy. However, infection recurred after the first debridement. We therefore applied antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate brads. The antibiotics, used in mixture with Simplex cement, included vancomycin (Vancomycin; 2g/40g powder). Symptoms reduced gradually, and the treatment was successful with no recurrence at follow up 18 months later.
