Ankle Fusion in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood borne pathogen that adversely compromises both hepatic and extrahepatic systems. Chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV) affects between 3.4 and 4.4 million people in the United States and over 185 million people worldwide [1,2]. Those born in the post-World War II baby boom account for approximately 75% of the estimated U.S. population with HCV. Many are unaware that they are infected. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend screening, as infected patients been demonstrated to be at increased risk for early medical and surgical complications [3,4].

Source: Foot and Ankle Surgery - January 21, 2019 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Patrick K. Strotman, Daniel R. Schmitt, Adam Schiff, Michael Pinzur Source Type: research