01812nas a2200361   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001500055653001000070653000900080653001600089653002800105653001000133653001100143653003100154653001800185653001100203653001200214653000900226653001600235653001600251653002600267653001000293653002200303100001600325700002000341700001000361245004800371300001100419490000700430520099900437022001401436       2006                            d  c2006 Jun10aAdolescent10aAdult10aAged10aArthrodesis10aArthropathy, Neurogenic10aChild10aFemale10aFoot Deformities, Acquired10aFoot Diseases10aHumans10aleprosy10aMale10aMiddle Aged10aReoperation10aRetrospective Studies10aShoes10aTreatment Outcome1 aSchwarz R J1 aMacdonald M R C1 aPas M00aResults of arthrodesis in neuropathic feet.  a747-500 v883 a<p>We describe the results of arthrodesis for the treatment of recurrent acute neuropathic bone disease in 24 feet and of chronic disease with deformity in 91 feet, undertaken between January 1984 and December 2003. All were due to leprosy. Correction of the deformity was achieved in 80 of 106 feet (76%) and fusion in 97 of 110 feet (88%). In the 24 feet in which recurrent neuropathic bone disease was the reason for surgery, 17 (71%) obtained stability while in seven (29%) symptoms recurred postoperatively. Complications were experienced following 58 of the 110 operations (53%). In patients presenting primarily with deformity with a minimum follow-up of two years (79 feet), there was a reduced frequency of ulceration in 40 (51%). Normal footwear could be worn by 32 patients (40%) after surgery, while 40 (51%) required a moulded insole. Arthrodesis of the ankle in the neuropathic foot due to leprosy has a good overall rate of success although the rate of complications is high.</p>  a0301-620X