Intramedullary Beaming Superconstructs for the Treatment of Midfoot Deformity in Patients with Charcot Arthropathy

CATEGORY: Diabetes; Midfoot/Forefoot INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Charcot arthropathy is a debilitating condition often accompanied by rocker-bottom deformity and plantar ulcerations. Patients with this condition historically experienced poor results, with varying rates of postoperative wound complications, infection, and amputation. Intramedullary beaming in midfoot reconstructions has been previously identified as a viable treatment option for these patients. However, these studies have been limited to small case series. The purpose of this study was to report our experience with realignment and extended fusion with the use of intramedullary beaming superconstructs in patients with Charcot arthropathy and resultant midfoot deformity. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent midfoot Charcot reconstruction with an intramedullary beaming superconstruct between January 2017 to January 2021. Bone resection and/or osteotomy were required to reduce the deformity. Intramedullary screws were placed, either antegrade or retrograde, across the arthrodesis sites. Additional hindfoot and/or tibio- talar arthrodesis was performed as indicated by the patient's deformity. Supplemental plate fixation was performed at the discretion of the treating surgeon. All patients were followed for a minimum of three months. Postoperative imaging was assessed to determine fusion at the arthrodesis site. Patient demographics and comorbidities were recorded to assess for risk factors. Patient deformities were classified according to the Brodsky classification. Postoperative rates of infection, limb salvage, reoperation, hardware fatigue, and return to walking were also recorded. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test, Students T- test, and logistic regression were used to analyze outcomes. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included. Limb salvage occurred in 35 (97%) patients, while one patient underwent below knee amputation. Fusion was achieved in 30 (83%) patients at an average time of 5.4+-1.3 months. A stable pseudarthrosis allowing ambulation was achieved in 5 (14%) patients. Thirty-three (92%) patients returned to ambulation. Seven patients (19%) required revision surgery (3 for recurrent ulcer, 4 for deep infection). Four (11%) patients experienced hardware fatigue, but all returned to ambulation. Five (14%) patients required assistive devices and seven (19%) required bracing. No patient characteristics were associated with non-union. Absence of supplemental plate fixation was associated with nonunion (P=0.04) and confirmed as an independent risk factor with regression analysis (P=0.03). Additional subtalar and/or hindfoot fixation was not associated with increased fusion rates. CONCLUSION: Open reduction and arthrodesis using an intramedullary beaming superconstruct for the surgical correction of midfoot collapse in patients with Charcot arthropathy provides a stable and reliable construct with high rates of limb salvage, fusion, and return to ambulation while minimizing complications. Supplemental plate fixation may provide increased construct stability and higher rates of union. However, this clinical importance of this is unknown.