A new technique of hindfoot reconstruction in chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis using the Ilizarov apparatus - a case series.

Calcaneal osteomyelitis (OM) is a challenging disease. Traditional surgical management has a limited success in preservation of the foot. The surgery proposed with the use of the Ilizarov apparatus for calcaneal OM aims to preserve the function, shape, and stability of the foot. Five patients between the age of 21 and 36 years, with isolated total and subtotal calcaneal OM, were treated with this technique in Royal Jordanian Medical Services (RJMS) institutions. Complex treatment included two stages: 1) radical sequestrectomy, and fixation of the foot in a favourable position with the Ilizarov fixator; 2) arthrodesis, reconstruction of the foot in order to fill in the bone defect. The patients were followed-up in the immediate (one month) and long-term (from one to six years) periods after treatment. The infection process was arrested and no recurrence was encountered. Weight-bearing ability was recovered. The shape of the hind foot was maximally close to natural. The patients reported high satisfaction.