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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish an indirect, easy-to-use, predictable and safe means of obtaining the true degree of displacement of fractures of the neck of the fifth metacarpal bone, through oblique radiographic views. METHODS: An anatomical specimen from the fifth human metacarpal was dissected and subjected to ostectomy in the neck region. A 1-mm Kirschner wire was fixed to the base of the fifth metacarpal bone, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bone and parallel to the ground. Another six Kirschner wires of the same diameter were bent over and attached to the ostectomized bone to simulate fracture displacement. Axial rotation of the metacarpus was used to create oblique radiographic views. Radiographic images were generated with different angles and at several degrees of rotation of the bone. RESULTS: We deduced a mathematical formula that showed the true displacement of fractures of the neck of the fifth metacarpal bone by means of oblique radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: Oblique radiographs at 30° of supination provided the best view of the bone and least variation from the real value of the displacement of fractures of the fifth metacarpal bone. The mathematical formula deduced was concordant with the experimental model used.

OBJETIVOS: Traçar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes diabéticos portadores de artropatia de Charcot acometendo exclusivamente o mediopé ou estendendo-se do mediopé ao retropé. Avaliar, a médio prazo, o resultado do tratamento a que esses pacientes são submetidos seguindo um protocolo preestabelecido. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos, retrospectivamente, 88 pacientes (110 extremidades) portadores de artropatia de Charcot do mediopé, com seguimento mínimo de 12 meses. Incluímos os pacientes portadores de artropatia de Charcot acometendo as articulações tarsometatársicas, 45 pacientes (51%); as articulações talonavicular, calcaneocuboide e subtalar, 20 pacientes (23%); e aqueles com envolvimento do mediopé e retropé, 23 pacientes (26%), segundo Brodsky e Trepman. Definimos como sucesso a preservação de um pé funcional e insucesso como amputação do pé. RESULTADOS: O tratamento da artropatia de Charcot envolvendo primariamente o mediopé foram satisfatórios em 75 pacientes (85%) tratados seguindo nosso protocolo. Nos pacientes com lesões graves, acometendo tanto o mediopé quanto o retropé, foi necessário maior número de cirurgias complexas do tipo artrodese para se obter o mesmo índice global de resultados satisfatórios. A lesão osteoarticular originada no mediopé provavelmente estende-se progressivamente ao retropé devido à demora no diagnóstico no início do tratamento adequado. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível preservar uma extremidade funcional em 85% dos pacientes. Lesões graves envolvendo o mediopé e estendendo-se ao retropé necessitaram maior número de cirurgias para o tratamento.OBJECTIVES: To outline the epidemiological profile of diabetic patients with Charcot arthropathy affecting the midfoot alone or extending from the midfoot to the hindfoot; To assess the results from the treatment that these patients undergo, according to a preestablished protocol, over the medium term. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 88 patients (110 extremities) with Charcot arthropathy of the midfoot. The minimum follow-up period was 12 months. We included 45 patients with Charcot arthropathy affecting the tarsal-metatarsal joints (51%); 20 patients in whom the talonavicular, calcaneocuboid and subtalar joints were affected (23%); and 23 patients in whom both the midfoot and hindfoot were affected (26%), as described by Brodsky and Trepman. We defined the treatment as successful when a functional foot was preserved; and unsuccessful when the foot was amputated. RESULTS: From treating Charcot arthropathy primarily involving the midfoot were satisfactory in the cases of 75 patients (85%) treated according to our protocol. For the patients with severe lesions affecting both the midfoot and the hindfoot, a greater number of complex operations (i.e. arthrodesis) were needed in order to obtain the same overall rate of satisfactory results. The osteoarticular lesions originating in the midfoot probably extended progressively to the hindfoot because of delayed diagnosis with inadequate early treatment. CONCLUSION: It was possible to preserve a functional extremity in 85% of the patients. Severe lesions involving the midfoot and extending to the hindfoot required a greater number of surgical procedures to treat them.