Neuropathic ankle joint in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease after triple arthrodesis of the foot.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease results in pes cavus or equinocavovarus deformity. An accepted surgical correction is triple arthrodesis of the foot. In a retrospective study of 45 Charcot-Marie-Tooth patients, two cases developed neuropathic ankle joint after triple arthrodesis. This procedure prevents mobility of the tarsal joint and consequently increases stress on the ankle joint. If coupled with decreased joint sensation, it may predispose the ankle to neuroarthropathy. This paper emphasizes joint position sense as an important consideration before triple arthrodesis or any other surgical procedure.