Quality of Life Improvement Following Reconstruction of Midtarsal Charcot Foot Deformity: A Five Year Follow-Up

Abstract

Background: There is increasing interest in reconstruction of diabetes-associated Charcot foot arthropathy with the goal of improving quality of life.

Methods: Twenty-four patients who completed the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) at baseline and one year following Charcot foot reconstruction were contacted and asked to complete the survey at five years following surgery.

Results: Fourteen of the 24 patients completed the SMFA preoperatively, one year following surgery and five years postoperatively. Two patients underwent below knee amputation in the interim. Improvement was noted in all domains measured by the SMFA, with a statistically significant improvement in difficulty with daily activities at five years.

Conclusion: Correction of non-plantigrade Charcot foot arthropathy results in clinically meaningful improvement in health-related quality of life at both one and five years postoperatively, including independence with daily activities. The improvement is maintained when reevaluated at five years. This supports the modern paradigm shift towards reconstruction of this deformity. Level of Evidence: III.

Keywords: charcot foot; diabetes; quality of life.