The Orthobullets Podcast Podiums⎪Trauma⎪8 Minute Pearls: Diabetic Ankle Fracture Dislocation
Apr 22, 2025
Dr. Marcus Sciadini, an esteemed speaker on diabetic foot issues, dives deep into the complexities of managing diabetic ankle fracture dislocations. He shares challenges and strategies, highlighting cases where coexisting conditions like obesity hamper recovery. Discussion includes the importance of preserving cartilage during surgery and the successful use of hindfoot fusion nails in high-risk patients. Listeners will appreciate the insight into minimizing complications while achieving low amputation rates.
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Severe Ankle Injury in Diabetic
- A 63-year-old obese diabetic woman presented with an open ankle fracture dislocation and a large medial traction wound.
- Her imaging revealed near-complete damage to the plafond cartilage, illustrating severe joint injury in diabetic hosts.
Exposed Cartilage Predicts Arthritis
- Cartilage exposed to air is almost invariably destined for early arthritis.
- Desiccation irreversibly damages the ankle joint’s articular cartilage at a cellular level.
Protect Cartilage from Desiccation
- During debridement and fixation in young patients, keep exposed cartilage moist to minimize desiccation damage.
- Minimize the time cartilage remains exposed to reduce early arthritis risk.