Charcot Foot

Charcot Foot is a form of arthritis that can develop in patients who have neuropathy or loss of sensation. It often develops suddenly without pain. Initial symptoms include swelling, redness and warmth of the foot and ankle. Further down the road, bones may fracture or dislocate spontaneously with no known trauma. This can cause severe deformities in the form of collapsed arches, open sores and ulcers.

Icing, elevation, braces and casts can alleviate pain, but many deformities caused by Charcot Foot may require surgery to correct the fracture or remove broken fragments of bone.

Patients can help to prevent Charcot Foot by keeping blood sugar levels under control, which reduces the progression of nerve damage. It is also important to check feet daily and to be extra careful to avoid injuries to the feet. Early diagnosis is important in the success of treating Charcot Foot. 

Image by Sarah Laval. Bare Feet. (2008). Flickr.