title: Antibiotic-coated nail for fusion of infected charcot ankles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treating infected ankles in patients with neuropathy is difficult, and complications are frequently encountered. Eradication of infection and effective arthrodesis are required for a successful outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with Charcot neuropathy whose infected ankles were treated with a retrograde, antibiotic-coated, locked intramedullary nail.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed 5 patients with infected neuroarthropathy of the ankle joint. Three patients had failed treatment with the circular external fixator for infected neuroarthropathy of the ankle. The other 2 were treated primarily by this technique. All patients were treated with surgical nonunion repair, arthrodesis, and insertion of an antibiotic-coated, locked intramedullary nail. The average age was 59 years (range, 46 to 82 years). The average follow up period was 18 months (range, 12-24 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average time taken for radiological healing was 4.1 months (range, 4-4.5 months). In all patients, bony union was achieved and infection was eradicated. There were no cases of hardware failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibiotic-coated nails were used to treat infected ankle nonunions and infected distal tibial fractures in Charcot patients with successful bony union, fusion, and eradication of infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic study.
authors: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Abhijit
authors: A
authors: Pawar
authors: Goksel
authors: G
authors: Dikmen
authors: Austin
authors: A
authors: Fragomen
authors: S Robert
authors: SR
authors: Rozbruch
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001177:Arthropathy, Neurogenic / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D001858:Bone Nails; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D002097:C-Reactive Protein