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. 2019 Dec 10;4(6):306-313.
doi: 10.7150/jbji.40337. eCollection 2019.

Chronic Osteomyelitis of the tibia and ankle treated with Limb Salvage Reconstruction

Aaron Lam  1 , Shawn S Richardson  2 , Josh Buksbaum  3 , Jonathan Markowitz  4 , Michael W Henry  5 , Andy O Miller  5 , S Robert Rozbruch  2 , Austin T Fragomen  2
Affiliations

Chronic Osteomyelitis of the tibia and ankle treated with Limb Salvage Reconstruction

Aaron Lam et al. J Bone Jt Infect. .

Abstract

Introduction: To confirm the success of our limb salvage treatment protocol and determine what factors are predictive of success versus failure in limb salvage techniques for patients with chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia and ankle. Methods: Retrospective case series analyzing factors and outcomes in patients who underwent limb salvage techniques for chronic osteomyelitis of tibia or ankle. Main outcome measurements included infection controlled without the need for amputation or chronic antibiotic suppression and union of infected non-unions. Results: Mean follow-up was 3.9 years. Out of the sixty-seven patients (mean age: 51.4 years) treated for chronic osteomyelitis, fifty-four had an associated non-union. Sixty-one patients (91.0%) had their infection controlled by limb salvage. Five ultimately required amputation and one remained on daily chronic antibiotics. Diabetics complicated with neuropathy and increasing numbers of limb salvage surgeries were associated with a significantly higher failure rate. Forty-eight out of fifty-four patients (88.9%) also had successful healing of their infected non-union. Diabetes and need for more limb salvage surgeries were also found to have a significantly higher failure rate. Conclusions: Limb salvage is a reliable and successful treatment for patients with chronic osteomyelitis and infected non-unions of the lower extremities. Diabetic neuropathy is a risk factor that impedes success. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level IV.

Keywords: amputation; ankle; chronic osteomyelitis; limb preservation; limb salvage; tibia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: SRR is a paid consultant for Smith & Nephew, NuVasive and Stryker. ATF is a paid consultant for Smith & Nephew, NuVasive and Synthes. For the remaining authors, none were declared.

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