title: Salvage of the first ray with external fixation in the high-risk patient.
abstract: In diabetic patients, hallux and first-ray amputations significantly increase the risk of recurrent ulceration and more proximal amputation over time. This small, retrospective study demonstrates that salvage of the first ray can be reliably accomplished, even in high-risk patients, when basic principles of infection management are followed in conjunction with the appropriate use of external fixation. These techniques may help to improve the quality of life and reduce the overall medical resources required for the treatment of recurrent ulceration and amputation in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Limb Preservation Service, Vascular/Endovascular Surgery Service, Department of Surgery, Tacoma, Washington 98431, USA.
authors.forename: Monica H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Schweinberger
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Roukis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016267:External Fixators / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016523:Foot Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome