title: Prediction of complications in a high-risk cohort of patients undergoing corrective arthrodesis of late stage Charcot deformity based on the PEDIS score.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  All diabetic neuroosteoarthropathy (Charcot arthropathy) treatment concepts are focused on a long-term infection-free, ulcer-free, and plantigrade sufficiently stable foot in order to avoid amputation. Reconstructive arthrodesis techniques for severe deformities are associated with high postoperative complication rates. This study reports a detailed complication analysis and provides a strategy that may help detect patients at risk for a complicated postoperative course.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised 43 feet in 37 patients with severe non-plantigrade or unstable Charcot deformity, Eichenholtz stages II/III (Sanders and Frykberg types II-V), who underwent reconstructive arthrodesis of the mid- and/or hindfoot. Patients were retrospectively enrolled 4.5 years postoperatively (range 1.8-11.2 years). All patients showed at least two out of five positive Pinzur high-risk criteria (immuno-compromising illnesses, large bone deformity, longstanding ulcer overlying infected bone, regional osteopenia, obesity). Follow-up included a detailed clinical analysis and radiologic assessment with emphasis on complication analysis and evaluation in accordance to the PEDIS classification system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly lower overall complication rates, as well as re-operation, reulceration and amputation counts were found for patients with a cumulative PEDIS count below 7. For PEDIS single criteria, significantly lower overall complication rates were found for patients without signs of occlusive peripheral artery disease, an ulcer extent <0.9 cm(2), ulcer depth including erosion and inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues only. Soft-tissue complications affected 49 % of patients, hardware breakage 33 %, hardware loosening 19 %, non-union 18 % and amputation 21 %. Radiographs revealed a correct reconstruction and restoration of all foot axes postoperatively with partial recollapse at the lateral foot column; however, fixation strength for the medial column was maintained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Internal corrective arthrodesis for patients within the deformed stages of Charcot deformity can provide adequate reconstruction, as assessed by intraoperative radiographic measures, that exhibit superior long-term stability for the medial column. Despite a high risk patient population, a favourable outcome in terms of overall complication, re-ulceration, and amputation rates for patients/feet with a cumulative PEDIS count below 7 was found. The cut-off value of 7 may aid clinical decision-making during preoperative planning for Charcot deformity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Rostock, Medical Center, Schillingallee 35, D-18057, Rostock, Germany. anica.eschler@med.uni-rostock.de.
authors.forename: Anica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eschler
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Orthopedic and Reconstructive Surgery, Klinikum München Harlaching, Sanatoriumsplatz 2, D-81545, Munich, Germany. georg.gradl@klinikum-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gradl
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Rostock, Medical Center, Schillingallee 35, D-18057, Rostock, Germany. annekatrin.wussow@uni-rostock.de.
authors.forename: Annekatrin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wussow
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Orthopedic and Reconstructive Surgery, Klinikum München Harlaching, Sanatoriumsplatz 2, D-81545, Munich, Germany. thomas.mittlmeier@med.uni-rostock.de.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mittlmeier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001177:Arthropathy, Neurogenic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005531:Foot Deformities, Acquired / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index