Severely deformed foot after spinal cord injury - leg saved, amputation avoided
A young patient with a spinal cord injury suffered from a pronounced deformity of the foot. The deformity was so severe that the load was no longer distributed correctly and there was a risk of pressure sores and the threat of amputation.
Complex correction and stabilization using a fixator
The aim of the operation was to return the skeleton of the foot to as normal a position as possible. The challenge here was to take into account the pre-existing neurological deficits. The foot was surgically corrected and stabilized with an external fixator to ensure long-term alignment.
Result: functional preservation of the leg
Thanks to the successful operation, the leg could be preserved. The new position of the foot enables a significantly better load distribution and considerably improves the patient’s mobility.
Medical terms used:
Spinal cord injury (paraplegia) – Neurological disease with paralysis and loss of control over certain parts of the body.
External fixator – External frame for stabilizing bones that allows precise corrections.
Pressure sore – Chronic wound caused by prolonged pressure on tissue.
