Charcot Foot Care for Diabetic Patients

What You Need To Know

Learn how Charcot foot develops, why early detection matters, and how it is treated.

Understanding Charcot Foot

Charcot foot is a rare but serious complication that impacts the bones, joints, and soft tissue in your foot and ankle. It is typically the result of nerve damage and can cause the foot to be deformed. This deformity could lead to ulceration, infection, and amputation. Oftentimes, Charcot foot isn’t associated with any pain, so it’s imperative that you are on top of your foot health.

Charcot foot is the result of bone or joint damage. It can begin with peripheral neuropathy, a disease of the nerves. As the nerves are impacted, the patient may not sense sensations in their foot. Another cause is repeated minor fractures. When small fractures aren’t felt or don’t heal correctly, they can worsen and Charcot foot can develop.

Symptoms include a red appearance of the foot or ankle, swelling, increased warmth compared to the other foot, a foot that feels warm to the touch, and soreness. Diabetics are most at risk, especially those who have had diabetes for several years. Other risk factors include smoking, regular alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, and being overweight.

Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent joints from collapsing and deforming the foot. Your board-certified podiatrist will examine your foot and ankle, ask about your symptoms, and check the temperature of your feet. X-rays and other tests may be used, and in some cases a bone biopsy may be ordered to check for infection. Contact your podiatrist right away if you notice any of these symptoms.

Treatment, Prevention, and Long-Term Care

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent or lessen any potential damage or the need for limb salvage. There are both non-surgical and surgical treatment options, depending on the severity of Charcot foot.

Decreasing pressure to your feet is one of the most important ways to heal Charcot foot. This protects the weakened bones from further damage. During this time, the doctor may have the patient wear a cast, boot, or brace. You may also need a knee scooter or crutches. Custom orthotics and bracing can help the bones heal and prevent recurrence of Charcot foot.

If a case has caused a severe deformity or if an infection has spread, surgery may be necessary. A board-certified surgeon will repair the damage and stabilize your foot. The details of surgery depend on each individual case, and the goal is to provide the patient with a stable foot that will not develop further ulcerations.

If Charcot foot isn’t caught early, the joints or arch in the foot can collapse, causing the foot to become deformed. It may also permanently affect the patient’s ability to use their foot, cause infection, and in severe cases result in the loss of a toe, foot, or leg. The longer it is left untreated, the greater the chance of requiring amputation.

To help prevent complications, manage your blood sugar levels, wear shoes and socks even indoors, get fit for custom orthotics, stop any activity causing foot or ankle pain, and elevate your feet to maintain blood flow. If you have neuropathy or diabetes, see your podiatrist at least once per year so any changes can be caught early.