Diabetic arthropathy of the first metatarsal cuneiform joint. Introduction of a new surgical fusion technique.

This paper describes the surgical treatment of advanced arthropathy of the first metatarsal cuneiform joint in the diabetic patient. A new surgical procedure is described as performed on a 59-year-old black diabetic woman with advanced arthropathy of the first metatarsal cuneiform joint. A brief review of diabetic arthropathy is presented, with special emphasis on the first metatarsal cuneiform joint involvement. The authors believe that with early diagnosis and surgical fusion, the process of rapid tarsal disintegration can be prevented.