The use of Papineau technique for the treatment of diabetic and non-diabetic lower extremity pseudoarthrosis and chronic osteomyelitis

The treatment of 31 consecutive adult patients, ages 25–67 years with chronic draining osteomyelitis (12 cases) or infected pseudarthrosis (19 cases) by the Papineau technique was retrospectively reviewed. The initial injury was an open fracture in 24 patients and a closed fracture in 7 patients. In all cases an Ilizarov circular external fixation device was used for the stabilization of the fracture or for bone lengthening. Mean follow-up for the group was 20 months (range, 10 months to 5 years) and there was successful limb salvage in all cases with eradication of infection and bone consolidation was achieved. The Ilizarov circular external fixation was removed at a mean of 18 weeks (range, 14–24 weeks). The mean time to bone union was 5 months (range, 4–10 months). All patients returned to their pre-treatment activity levels or better.