Clinical, Radiographic, and Histologic Outcomes of Ankle Arthrodesis in a Diabetic Patient using a Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Bone Graft with a Novel Submicron Needle-shaped Surface Topography

Abstract

Patients with diabetes mellitus who sustain ankle fractures are at increased risk of complications including non-union, malunion, wound dehiscence, soft tissue infection, osteomyelitis, deterioration to Charcot arthropathy, and amputation [1][2][3]. Multiple publications have evaluated treatment options for diabetic patients with ankle fractures; management options include non-surgical treatment and immobilization, open reduction internal fixation, arthrodesis of the tibiotalar joint, arthrodesis of the tibiotalocalcaneal joints, external fixation, and amputation [4][5][6][7]. It is important to identify an effective bone graft for these cases, as well as to understand the science behind the bone graft selected. In recent years, the study of osteoimmunology has confirmed the reciprocal interaction of bone forming mesenchymal stem cells and immune cells on bone growth. This report describes an adult female patient with a late presenting ankle fracture dislocation, initially treated with ankle arthrodesis using a novel bone graft with submicron needle-shaped surface topography. The patient developed Charcot arthropathy and was revised to a tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) nail. During revision, a biopsy was taken of a solidly fused segment and sent for histology. Radiographic, clinical, and histological data were tracked and showed solid fusion at 6 weeks radiographically, which was confirmed via histology and surgical exploration at 12 weeks, indicating notable results in this challenging arthrodesis case using a novel bone graft with submicron needle-shaped surface topography.