title: The management of acute Charcot fracture-dislocations with the Taylor's spatial external fixation system.
abstract: The surgical repair of acute diabetic neuropathic osteoarthropathy of the midfoot remains a challenge with little guidance available in the medical literature. The authors present a review of the diabetic Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy process and proposed surgical intervention techniques with a special emphasis on the available data regarding the use of external fixation. A detailed, step-by-step, guide through the foot-specific Taylor spatial external fixation system is provided. Finally, the authors' preferred technique for these difficult limb salvage cases is presented in detail.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery MCHJ-SOP Madigan Army Medical Center 9040-A Fitzsimmons Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA. troukis@footankledeformity.com
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Roukis
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zgonis
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001177:Arthropathy, Neurogenic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications; D016267:External Fixators; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*