Study Comparing Partial Calcanectomy With and Without Antibiotic Bone Graft Substitute Cerament G for Treating Heel Bone Infection

What this Trial Is About

Calcaneal osteomyelitis is a serious infection of the heel bone often linked to diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, causing chronic wounds and pain that can lead to amputation. Researchers are evaluating partial calcanectomy surgery with and without Cerament G, an antibiotic bone graft substitute, to improve wound healing and reduce infection over a one-year period in 30 patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups one group will have partial calcanectomy with Cerament G applied to the bone, and the other group will have partial calcanectomy with standard antibiotic treatment. Cerament G contains calcium sulphate, hydroxyapatite, and gentamycin to deliver antibiotics locally. The study compares wound healing rates, re-infection, hospital stay length, antibiotic use, costs, and quality of life. Participants will be monitored for one year with assessments at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. These include measuring wound healing progress, quality of life questionnaires, hospital stay duration, and financial impact. The study aims to collect data that may guide future larger trials for better management of calcaneal osteomyelitis.

The ACHILLS Trial; Application of Cerament in Heel Infection for Lower Limb Salvage