The Ilizarov method for treatment of severe foot deformity in a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Abstract

The treatment result in a patient with a complex deformity of the feet due to neural Charcot-Marie-Tooth amyotrophy is presented in the article. A combined use of the Ilizarov transosseous osteosynthesis method and transfer of the tibialis posterior muscle tendon by anchoring to the cuboid bone allowed us to achieve a successful long-term result of treatment and restore ability of active dorsiflexion of the foot. Functional outcome was assessed using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale. AOFAS score increased significantly from 26 points preoperatively to 80 points at 18 months after intervention. The ankle motion increased from 25° preoperatively to 50° on the left side and 60° on the right side at long term. In our opinion, this approach allowed the patient to start walking earlier, restored weight-bearing ability of the foot and reduced treatment time.