Total knee arthroplasty in a patient with bilateral Charcot knees.

Abstract

Neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) is a progressive and degenerative process resulting from underlying neurovascular and neurotraumatic deficits. Diabetes mellitus is now the most common cause of Charcot joint. A marked predilection for the tarsometatarsal, tarsal, and ankle joints occurs. Involvement of large weight-bearing joints such as the knee is rare. When the knee is involved, and conservative treatment fails, standard surgical intervention often involves arthrodesis. Arthroplasty is relatively contraindicated. The authors report a case of a 61-year-old, diabetic-woman with bilateral Charcot knees who successfully completed a rehabilitation program and achieved independence after left knee arthrodesis and right total knee arthroplasty.