Bengaluru, 21 November, 2024: Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road has successfully treated a 52-year-old woman from Saudi Arabia suffering from Charcot’s foot (a rare condition where nerve damage causes weakening of the bones and joints in the foot, leading to severe ankle deformity). Under the expert care of Dr. Mohan Puttaswamy, Senior Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Fortis Bannerghatta Road, the patient underwent a complex Left Pantalar Fusion over Ilizarov, a procedure to stabilize her ankle and restoring mobility. The surgery lasted for 8 long hours, and the patient was discharged in a stable condition after 7 days, following an intensive post-operative care regimen.

Patient Mrs. Rita (name changed), had been living with chronic pain, swelling and progressive deformity in her left ankle for nearly nine years following a fall. The condition severely impacted her mobility, causing a noticeable limp and making daily activities increasingly difficult. In recent months, her symptoms got worse leading to major mobility issues and increasing the risk of amputation, particularly due to her underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD), which had progressed to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

After consulting multiple hospitals worldwide without finding a suitable solution, Mrs. Rita turned to Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road for advanced care. Post comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Puttaswamy recommended a Left Pantalar Fusion as the best course of action, rather than using an Ilizarov apparatus (a ring-shaped brace used to treat broken bones, deformities, and other conditions). Despite the procedure being high-risk due to her compromised kidney function, it was determined to be the most viable option to prevent further deterioration and preservation of the limb, and to restore her mobility and avoid amputation.

Giving details of the case, Dr. Mohan Puttaswamy, Senior Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru said, “Mrs. Rita’s complex case presented unique challenges owing to long-standing ankle deformity, advanced CKD – with high risk of infections and potential leg amputation. With her CKD having progressed to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), the surgical risks were higher. However, after thorough evaluation and close collaboration with our nephrology team, we determined that surgery was the only viable option to prevent further complications and preserve her limb. Considering all risk factors, we performed a Left Pantalar Fusion, a specialized procedure designed to address severe ankle deformities and Charcot’s foot.

The surgery required careful planning and execution to clean the infected ankle and to stabilize it, using an Ilizarov external fixator to realign the bones and joints. Given the complexity of her condition and the risks pertaining to the kidney function, we took every precaution, including intensive post-operative monitoring in the ICU to ensure her kidneys were protected throughout the recovery.”

Mr. Akshay Oleti, Business Head, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru, said, “At Fortis, we are committed to handling complex and high-risk cases with the utmost care and precision. Mrs. Rita’s case was a testament to adopting a multidisciplinary approach, with our orthopaedic, nephrology and critical care teams working together to ensure the best possible outcomes. We understand the challenges faced by patients with multiple health conditions and our focus is on providing them with the most advanced treatment options while ensuring their safety throughout the process. It is immensely rewarding to see Mrs. Rita’s quality of life improve so significantly, and we are proud to have been part of her recovery journey. Fortis remains dedicated to offering world-class care to patients from across the globe, with a focus on compassion, expertise, and patient-centric approach.”