The use of the Papineau bone-grafting technique in salvage of the infected total joint implant.

The development of osteomyelitis after first metatarsophalangeal total implant-arthroplasty can be a complication encountered by any foot surgeon. The postoperative course is often long with a guarded to poor prognosis. The authors present a salvage procedure for this surgical complication utilizing aggressive surgical debridement followed by an autogenous bone graft. The technique, as described by Papineau, was developed to shorten hospitalization time and reduce deformity. A case presentation is given to illustrate the successful use of this procedure in the treatment of postoperative osteomyelitis of the foot without systemic antibiotics.