Raffaele VİTİELLO, Andrea PERNA, Marco PERUZZİ, Dario PİTOCCO, Galli MARCO

Clinical evaluation of tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis with retrograde intramedullary nail fixation in diabetic patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and functional outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing tibiocalcanealarthrodesis using a retrograde nail.Methods: A total of 12 diabetic patients [8 men and 4 women; mean age at intervention: 56.8 years (range: 27-76 years)]who underwent tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis by a retrograde nail were enrolled in this study. The indication for surgery wasmassive talar osteonecrosis in four patients, Charcot arthropathy in another four patients, and various severe ankle/hindfootderangements in four patients. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon. All patients were evaluated by theirAmerican Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) score, and radiographic follow-up was performed.Results: The mean follow-up time was 59.5 months (range: 27-121 months). Ten patients (83.3%) healed and were able towalk with full weight bearing without crutches. Among them, nine patients (75%) achieved union with solid bone healing.The mean overall improvement in the AOFAS score was 72.5% (preoperatively: 40 points vs postoperatively: 69 points;p

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