Limb salvage with Chopart's amputation and tendon balancing

Abstract

For several decades, Chopart's amputation has met with some skepticism owing to reports of significant equinus deformity developing soon after the procedure is performed. However, with appropriate tendon balancing, which generally includes anterior tibial tendon transfer and tendo Achillis lengthening, this level of amputation is often more functional than slightly more distal amputations, such as Lisfranc or short transmetatarsal amputations. The authors offer a rationale for this observation, which includes a discussion of the longitudinal and transverse arch concept of the foot. This concept dictates that the shorter the midfoot-level amputation, the more likely the patient is to develop an equinovarus deformity, thus exposing the fifth metatarsal base and cuboid to weightbearing stress and a high risk of ulceration. Chopart's amputation, in eliminating the cuboid, often obviates the potential varus deformity and thus can have a more acceptable long-term result.