Charcot Foot

What is Charcot foot?

Charcot foot is a condition that affects the structure and function of the bones, joints, and soft tissue in your foot and ankle. It develops in people with peripheral neuropathy, which affects their ability to feel temperature changes, pain, or injury in their feet. 

Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy.

Charcot foot weakens the bones in the feet, making them more susceptible to breaking. Because you can’t feel pain from the bone break, you continue to place pressure on your foot, which may lead to a foot deformity. 

The deformity may affect the soft tissue in the foot or ankle, leading to wounds and ulcers that fail to heal, which may place you at risk of limb amputation. 

What are the symptoms of Charcot foot?

In the early stages of Charcot foot, the affected foot may feel warmer than the other and appear red and swollen. You may also experience pain and tenderness.

If you have peripheral neuropathy or diabetes and you’re experiencing these symptoms, contact Diabetic Foot and Wound Center to schedule an evaluation.

Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent long-term complications. 

How is Charcot foot diagnosed?

Charcot foot is difficult to diagnose during the early stages. 

The experienced team at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center conducts a comprehensive evaluation when you come in with concerns about Charcot foot to ensure you get the right diagnosis. 

During the exam, your provider asks detailed questions about your symptoms and the events that triggered them, as well as your medical history, and then closely examines your feet and ankles.

You may also require diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, to further evaluate the structure of your feet. However, it’s not unusual to have a normal X-ray during the early stages of Charcot foot. 

How is Charcot foot treated?

The experts at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center develop individualized treatment plans for Charcot foot based on the severity of the foot damage. The goal of your treatment plan is to reduce weight on the affected foot, treat the bone disease, and prevent new fractures.

Your treatment plan may include:

• Immobilization
• Custom shoes
• Orthotics
• Activity modification
• Daily foot inspections

If your Charcot foot is severe and you’re at risk of developing foot ulcers, the team at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center may recommend surgery to fix the foot deformity. 

Diabetic Foot and Wound Center specializes in amputation prevention and works closely with you to improve your Charcot foot so you don’t lose your foot.

For expert care of Charcot foot, contact Diabetic Foot and Wound Center by phone or online today.