Combined Internal External Fixation for Charcot Foot Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for Charcot neuroarthropathy, particularly in diabetic patients, face challenges due to limited effectiveness of non-operative methods, increased risk of surgical infection, and difficulty in achieving limb salvage with traditional internal fixation, especially in cases of severe deformity, instability, ulceration, and infection.
Innovation Solution
A combination of external and internal fixation devices is used to provide compression and stabilization, allowing for the treatment of conditions like Charcot neuroarthropathy by attaching an internal fixation device to bones and connecting it with an external fixation device for adjustable compression and stabilization, utilizing materials that can change dimensions in response to stimuli for enhanced therapeutic outcomes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional internal fixation is used for Charcot neuroarthropathy, then surgical intervention can be performed, but the risk of surgical infection increases due to impaired immune system in diabetic patients
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is divided into internal fixation devices (intramedullary nails, screws, plates) and external fixation devices (external fixators, braces), allowing staged treatment where external fixation can be applied first to stabilize the environment before internal fixation to reduce infection risk
Solution Approach 2:
Antibiotic-impregnated cement spacers or beads are used as intermediary agents that deliver localized antibiotic therapy to the surgical site, reducing infection risk while maintaining fixation stability during the healing process
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional internal fixation is used for severe deformity and instability, then bone alignment can be achieved, but the ability to utilize internal fixation alone is limited due to poor bone quality and severe deformity
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges internal fixation devices (for precise bone alignment and stabilization) with external fixation devices (for additional support and adjustability), creating a combined fixation approach that overcomes the limitations of either method alone in severe deformity cases
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system incorporates adjustable and modular components that can be adapted to severe deformities and poor bone quality, allowing dynamic adjustment of fixation parameters to match the specific anatomical and pathological conditions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-operative treatment is used for Charcot foot, then surgical risks are avoided, but the evidence supporting non-operative treatment is equivocal and amputation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary stabilization through external fixation and soft tissue reconstruction before definitive internal fixation, creating a controlled environment that reduces infection risk while ensuring limb salvage success through staged treatment
Data Source
AI summary
The present devices, systems and processes can simultaneously reduce a malady of the foot, ankle, and/or lower extremity and provide compression and stabilization through the use of a combined internal fixation device, external fixation device and a lower extremity stabilizing device. The various embodiments of the system are capable of providing adequate compression in the medial, central and/or lateral columns and/or sides of the foot, ankle, and/or lower extremity, as well as treating Charcot neuroarthropathy, fractures, revisional foot and combination of ankle surgeries. The external fixation device and/or lower extremity stabilizer can be removed after a certain period of time, leaving the internal fixation system within the body for prolonged stabilization and maintenance of the arthrodesis site(s).