Surgical Equinus Correction for the Diabetic Charcot Foot: What the Evidence Reveals

Abstract

Triceps surae contracture, or equinus, is a known deforming force in the foot and ankle. Biomechanical studies have shown that ankle equinus significantly alters gait and plantar pressures, and in the diabetic neuropathic patient population, this can propagate plantar ulceration and/or Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN). Surgical correction of equinus is globally and frequently used to aid in plantar wound healing in the neuropathic diabetic patient, with and without CN. Treatment guidelines for equinus correction in this medically complex population are undefined and lack evidence from high-quality published peer-reviewed studies.

Keywords: Achilles; Charcot neuroarthropathy; Diabetic foot; Diabetic foot ulcer; Equinus; Gastrocnemius.