A Systematic Review of Angular Deformities in Charcot Neuroarthropathy

Abstract Charcot neuroarthropathy of the foot and ankle is associated with peri-articular deformities and progressive radiographic changes. There have been studies analyzing the radiographic angulations and deformity progression in Charcot neuroarthropathy deformity. The aim of this paper is to provide systematic review of studies that evaluate foot and ankle radiographic parameters in patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy. A multi-database search including, medline, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov and reference lists of included studies, was performed from 1980 to 2020. A total of seven articles were included that analyzed radiographic angulations in Charcot neuroarthropathy deformity. The articles could be categorized into non-operative angulation measurements, and pre versus postoperative angulation measurements. The presence of ulcerations and the severity of the Charcot neuroarthropathy deformity was found to result from predominantly sagittal plane deformity. The deformity initiates with medial column collapse and progresses to continual lateral column collapse. Surgical intervention resulting in immediate postoperative improvement in angular measurements, however without beaming of both the medial and lateral column, there was recurrence of the lateral column deformity. This systematic review of articles analyzing angular deformities in Charcot neuroarthropathy patients, demonstrates the progressive sagittal plane breakdown patterns of Charcot as well as the benefits of surgical intervention.