title: Orthotic management of Charcot feet after external fixation surgery.
abstract: The authors use a total contact cast (TCC), Charcot restraint orthotic walker (CROW), or prefabricated diabetic walker (DW) for the treatment of neuroarthropathy, depending on the medical, social, and economic circumstances. There is not one single orthosis for the treatment of Charcot feet, but there are several models with advantages and disadvantages the physician should be aware of. In a retrospective study of 200 Charcot feet, the ankle foot orthosis (AFO) built in the authors' workshop turned out to be an efficient and comfortable appliance for orthotic treatment after reconstructive surgery. They prefer this type of orthosis because of its versatility and its safe application in a compliant patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Technical Orthopaedics, Münster University Hospital, Robert Koch 30, 48149 Münster, Northrhine-Westfaila, Germany. armin.koller@uni-muenster.de
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.forename: Stefan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Meissner
authors.forename: Maike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Podella
authors.forename: Raimund
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fiedler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001177:Arthropathy, Neurogenic / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004867:Equipment Design; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome