Charcot is one of the many diabetes-related foot complications that can eventually lead to amputation. That being said, it’s imperative that you don’t delay treating any Charcot foot symptoms you may be experiencing.
Our foot and ankle surgeons at the Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center are expertly trained in all forms of podiatry, including diabetic foot problems. Be sure to contact us today to make an appointment! We have multiple convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus, Ohio.
Visiting an orthopedic surgeon doesn’t mean that surgery is necessary. Our orthopedic doctors always prefer to use non-surgical procedures to treat injuries.
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Charcot (also known as Charcot arthropathy) is a serious condition that affects the structure of your foot and can lead to severe deformity. It occurs when a person is unaware of an injury to their foot or ankle because of nerve damage called neuropathy. Diabetes mellitus is the most common reason for this damage.
Charcot affects the bones, soft tissue, and joints of the foot or ankle. Since many are unaware of the injury, they may continue to walk on the affected foot.
This can weaken structures in the foot and ankle or make fractures worse. This will eventually lead to foot deformity. Patients are susceptible to developing ulcers, which puts them at risk for ulcers, possible infection, and possible amputation.
Charcot affects diabetic patients with neuropathy. They are unable to detect injuries to their foot and ankle because of damage to the nerves in their lower legs. The most common reason for this nerve damage is diabetes.
Other risk factors that can contribute towards Charcot foot include the following:
If you have Charcot, you will not normally feel much pain. However, you may experience the following symptoms:
As mentioned earlier, Charcot occurs when you injure your foot or ankle without realizing it. Because of the nerve damage, usually caused by diabetes, you lose feeling in your foot and ankle and are therefore unaware of the injury taking place.
The injury may come about in one of the following ways:
The loss of sensation in the foot and ankle makes it difficult to identify the injury early on. With continued use, the injury may get worse, eventually leading to deformity.
Your doctor will begin by considering your symptoms and medical history. Then, during a physical exam, they will look for the following signs:
Your doctor may also request the following image testing to see the bone structure and soft tissue:
It’s essential to seek early treatment for Charcot foot. This will help to avoid further damage, deformity, and other complications.
Treatment aims to achieve the following:
Your doctor will also want to prevent ulcers and infections from developing. Your treatment may include surgical and non-surgical procedures.
While the condition is in its early stages, nonsurgical treatments may be sufficient. The following are some of the no surgical treatments for Charcot foot:
Surgery may be needed if you have serious ankle and/or foot deformities that are unstable and have the potential to develop a foot ulcer.
The following surgical treatments may be used while treating Charcot foot:
Don’t delay in treating Charcot. Our foot and ankle surgeons at the Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center are expertly trained in all pathology related to diabetes. Contact us today to make an appointment! We have convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus, OH. Our doctors look forward to giving you the care you deserve!
Medically reviewed by Terrence M. Philbin, DO
