Features of the formation of bone regenerate and metabolism of bone formation markers in a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuroosteoarthropathy (Charcot foot)

Background: Surgical treatment of diabetic neuroosteoarthropathy is a complex area in traumatology — orthopedics not only because of severe biomechanical disorders and gross deformations of the distal segment of the lower limb, but also because these phenomena are accompanied by many disorders of the somatic status. Of particular importance is a pronounced decrease in bone mineral density. This case is intended to illustrate the features of the treatment of this pathology.

Clinical case description: A clinical case of treatment of a 34-year-old young female patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus, development of diabetic neuroosteoarthropathy (Charcot foot), and aseptic necrosis of the talus of the right foot is presented. From 2019–2020 conservative and surgical treatment was carried out aimed at stopping the active stage of Charcot foot, correcting deformity and stabilizing the distal segment of the limb (calcaneotibial arthrodesis). A satisfactory treatment result was achieved, complete activation 8 months after the operation. However, in 2021 The patient suffered a closed low-energy fracture of the distal metaphysis of the right tibia. Regarding this episode, the patient comes in at the stage of consolidation of a displaced fracture and complaints of recurrence of varus deformity, even greater shortening of the limb, and swelling of the ankle joint. The fact of injury is denied, which allows us to regard the existing fracture of the tibia as pathological. In this regard, an operation was performed: osteotomy of the fibula and tibia in the area of consolidation of the pathological fracture in order to correct the deformity and compensate for the existing shortening of the limb due to the formation of a distraction regenerate. During the treatment, malnutrition and delayed formation of bone regenerate were noted, which required prolonged use of an external fixation device and specific drug therapy aimed at stimulating osteogenesis and improving bone mineral density. At the end of the course, there was an increase in the mineral density of the tissue, the density of the regenerate radiologically and laboratory (control of bone formation markers) and a satisfactory functional result.

CONCLUSION: A successful result in this clinical case was achieved by combining orthopedic surgical and conservative treatment with specific drug therapy in a comorbid patient with reduced bone mineral density and a high probability of complications in a multidisciplinary approach.