One of the many challenging and complex problems our diabetic patients face is Charcot foot or neuroarthropathy. This condition creates destruction and collapse of the bones in the foot and can lead to amputations.

"Normal" foot on xray

“Charcot Foot” with joint dislocations

The physicians at OFAC  are skilled at this complex reconstructive surgery and are constantly developing and using new techniques to improve patient outcomes. Recently, Dr. Hyer is one of the first physicians in the world to utilize this innovative, new intramedullary compression device within the bones of the foot as part of this reconstruction. This new implant (called TarsX) provides a much stronger form of fixation compared to typical screws and plates that are used and should allow for better bone healing. 

Here is a video of technique on cadaver specimen (you’re warned!)

Case Presentation

This case has a typical pattern of midfoot joint destruction with severe foot deformity as a result.

Severe Charcot Midfoot deformity with planned correction

Reconstruction in process. Half of implants in.

Reconstruction and realignment finished. Complete implants in.

Implants in. Realigned foot and arch achieved.

  Please check back often for updates and new techniques such as this for these challenging cases.

Dr. Hyer

The physicians of OFAC recently had their research published in the peer-reviewed journal, Foot and Ankle Specialist. The article demonstrates a new method to correcting severe bunion deformities while safely allowing patients to ambulate much sooner. The procedure, called a Lapidus arthrodesis or fusion, typically required patients to be in a non-weight-bearing cast for at least 6 -8 weeks. New techniques and evidence documented in this study by OFAC has shown a higher healing rate than other published studies and with patients weight-bearing at 2 weeks after the surgery!

Severe Bunion Deformity

Severe Bunion Corrected with Modified Lapidus Technique

With this new technique, patients often can begin protected weight-bearing in a bunion boot walker around 10-12 days. This is an important advance as early weight bearing minimizes time lost from work, eases burdens onto family and friends and is overall much healthier for our patients. 

'Bunion Boot'- protects foot during early weight-bearing.

Not all bunions need to be fixed, but when they do, the physicians of OFAC have the expertise and experience to insure the solution is the right one for you.  I encourage everyone to ask questions, discuss with your doctor and understand what is being recommended and why.

One of our main tenets in practice is to continually educate and strive to improve. I am proud of the research and education efforts our team provides and am confident it is unmatched anywhere. Our new website allows us to quickly broadcast this new information as it becomes available, often before it is even in print.

Check back often as more and more of our work moves toward publication in leading medical journals.

Christopher F. Hyer, DPM, FACFAS

Co-Director, Foot and Ankle Fellowship, Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center, Westerville, Ohio

Trauma Section Editor, The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery

Editorial Board, Foot and Ankle Specialist