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External Stabilization of the Charcot Foot

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Limb Salvage of the Diabetic Foot

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Abstract

Charcot arthropathy is often accompanied by several associated complications. Early detection of a Charcot foot is critical. External fixation has proven effective in use of all stages of Charcot foot. When reconstructions are performed, both internal and external fixation can increase rates of success, as the external fixation is versatile and can be utilized as a compressive device or as an external cast. External fixation has been effective in protecting wound sites, graft sites, and flap sites, eliminating deforming forces and allowing for efficient healing. Space can be maintained with the use of external fixation and septic fusions can be achieved in situations that require it. The use of external fixation has proven to be an excellent choice during surgical correction of the Charcot foot with or without the presence of infection.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Podiatric Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA

    Ryan N. Cantwell & Michael I. Gazes

  2. Departments of Surgery, Anesthesia, and Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Yale School of Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA

    Peter A. Blume

Authors
  1. Ryan N. Cantwell
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  2. Michael I. Gazes
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  3. Peter A. Blume
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Correspondence to Peter A. Blume .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. King’s College Hospital, London, UK

    Michael E. Edmonds

  2. School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    Bauer E. Sumpio

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Cantwell, R.N., Gazes, M.I., Blume, P.A. (2019). External Stabilization of the Charcot Foot. In: Edmonds, M., Sumpio, B. (eds) Limb Salvage of the Diabetic Foot. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17918-6_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17918-6_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-17917-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-17918-6

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