Charcot Foot
Original Editor - Chelsea McLene
Top Contributors - Chelsea Mclene, Kim Jackson and Nikhil Benhur Abburi
What is Charcot Foot?[edit | edit source]
Charcot foot is a rare but serious complication. It can affect persons with peripheral neuropathy, especially those with diabetes mellitus. This is a condition in which the nerves in the lower legs and feet have been damaged. The damage causes a loss of sensation in the feet. It affects the bones, joints, and soft tissues of the foot or ankle. The bones become weak and can break. It has to be treated as early as possible or else the joints in the foot collapse and the foot eventually becomes deformed causing pressure sores to develop in the foot or ankle. An open wound with foot deformity can lead to an infection and even amputation.[1]
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Causes[edit | edit source]
- Alcohol or drug abuse.
- An infection.
- Spinal cord disease or injury.
- Parkinson's disease.
- HIV.
- Syphilis.
There’s no specific cause for Charcot foot. Some things can trigger it:
- A sprain or broken bone that doesn’t get treatment quickly
- A sore on your foot that doesn’t heal
- An infection
- Foot surgery that heals slowly
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Complications[edit | edit source]
- Weak bones
- Deformity: Rocker Bottom
- Toe curls
- Ankle may become twisted and unsteady.
- Bones may press against shoes.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
All persons with diabetes who have been treated for Charcot foot should have regular foot care with a foot and ankle specialist or a specialist in diabetic foot problems. Close watch should be done on new changes related to Charcot and other diabetic foot complications. Patients who have Charcot foot from other causes also should have regular follow up as recommended by the doctor.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Rogers LC, Frykberg RG, Armstrong DG, Boulton AJ, Edmonds M, Van GH, Hartemann A, Game F, Jeffcoate W, Jirkovska A, Jude E. The Charcot foot in diabetes. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 2011 Sep;101(5):437-46.
