title: Circular External Fixation as a Primary or Adjunctive Therapy for the Podoplastic Approach of the Diabetic Charcot Foot.
abstract: Numerous techniques have been described for surgical management of the diabetic Charcot foot. External fixation has become a main surgical tool for the reconstructive foot and ankle surgeon when dealing with the ulcerated diabetic Charcot foot. In the presence of an open wound and/or osteomyelitis, staged reconstruction with circular external fixation becomes ideal for salvage of the diabetic lower extremity. Also, circular external fixation can provide simultaneous compression and stabilization, correct the underlying osseous or soft tissue deformities, and surgically offload the diabetic Charcot foot. This article describes a variety of circular external fixation applications for the diabetic Charcot foot.
authors.affiliation: Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery, Division of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MSC 7776, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Short
authors.affiliation: Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery, Division of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MSC 7776, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. Electronic address: zgonis@uthscsa.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zgonis
mesh_terms: D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001177:Arthropathy, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016267:External Fixators; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures
keywords: Charcot neuroarthropathy; Diabetic Charcot foot; Diabetic neuropathy; External fixation; Plastic surgery; Podoplastic approach