Joint Preserving Limb Salvage Secondary to Septic Nonunion Following Placement of a Fibular Intramedullary Nail: A Case Report

J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2024 Jul-Aug;114(4):22-079. doi: 10.7547/22-079.

Abstract

Several challenges exist for the foot and ankle surgeon when addressing the complications associated with ankle fracture repair. The risk of joint destruction, debilitation, and even limb loss may be amplified by the noncompliant patient. There is an abundance of literature documenting the management of fracture nonunions in the setting of infection with a variety of techniques proven successful in managing large osseous defects and eradicating infection. We present a particularly challenging case in which we modified an existing method of treatment to preserve the ankle joint of a failed reduction complicated by septic nonunion following placement of a fibular intramedullary nail.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Ankle Fractures / surgery
  • Bone Nails / adverse effects
  • Fibula / injuries
  • Fibula / surgery
  • Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary* / adverse effects
  • Fractures, Ununited* / etiology
  • Fractures, Ununited* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Limb Salvage* / methods
  • Male