Femoral Head Allograft Improved Pain and Function in 10-Year Follow-up

A femoral head allograft for tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis for ankle Charcot neuropathy provided a stable, plantigrade foot and restored functional limb length 10 years after surgery, according to a poster presented at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Scientific Conference.¹
 
The case study, presented by Ravnik Singh, DPM, and Lawrence Fallat, DPM, FACFAS, focused on a 36-year-old male with diabetic peripheral neuropathy who had been experiencing ankle pain for 5 previous years. Radiographs showed severe collapse of the talar body, advanced degeneration and osteophyte formation of the ankle and subtalar joint, and asymmetric joint space narrowing.
 
The patient underwent tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis with a femoral head allograft and intermetatarsal nail, gastrocnemius recession and external fixation. The authors noted the patient had routine follow-up for 10 years and has “expressed incredible gratitude as it was the first time he appreciated a straight leg and foot in years.” Authors added that the patient after 10 years had no pain, complications or deformity recurrence.
 
Reference
 
1. Singh R, Fallat A. Use of femoral head allograft for tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis for ankle Charcot neuroarthropathy: a 10-year follow-up. Presented at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Scientific Conference, Los Angeles, Feb. 9–12, 2023.