Chopart Amputation Following Successful Revascularization in a 78-Year-Old Patient

Clinical presentation, surgical treatment and documented healing.

01 / Problem: Clinical presentation
02 / Procedure: Surgical approach
03 / Outcome: Healing & follow-up

Clinical photographs below include wounds and surgical treatment.

01 / CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Problem

A 78-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes presented with critical limb ischemia requiring urgent limb-salvage treatment. Endovascular revascularization (angioplasty) was successfully performed first, restoring blood flow and allowing a distal amputation instead of a major lower-limb amputation.

Chopart Amputation Following Successful Revascularization — Problem

02 / SURGICAL APPROACH

Procedure

A Chopart amputation was performed, removing the toes, metatarsals, and the tarsal bones distal to the Chopart joint, while preserving the hindfoot. The wound was left to heal by secondary intention, achieving gradual closure over approximately 8 months.

03 / HEALING & FOLLOW-UP

Outcome

Complete wound healing was achieved, preserving a functional residual limb suitable for weight bearing. The patient was fitted with a custom prosthetic device and specialized therapeutic footwear, restoring the ability to walk independently. This case demonstrates that successful revascularization combined with a Chopart amputation can preserve limb function and provide an alternative to major amputation in selected patients.