What Is Charcot Foot?

By kevin

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. Kaynak, Gökhan et al. “An overview of the Charcot foot pathophysiology.” Diabetic Foot and Ankle vol. 4 (2013): 10.3402/dfa.v4i0.21117.
• 2. Roberts, Lee C. et al. “The Charcot Foot in Diabetes.” Diabetes Care, vol. 34(9) (2011): 2123-2129.https://doi.org/10.2337/dc11-0844
• 3. Shah, Mrugeshkumar et al. “Charcot Arthropathy.” Medscape Drugs and Diseases (2020): https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1234293-overview

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3. Symptoms

The primary symptom is a “rocker-bottom” foot in which the arch has collapsed, creating a convex sole on which it is difficult to walk.²Roberts, Lee C. et al. “The Charcot Foot in Diabetes.” Diabetes Care, vol. 34(9) (2011): 2123-2129.https://doi.org/10.2337/dc11-0844 This deformity can range from mild to debilitating.³Shah, Mrugeshkumar et al. “Charcot Arthropathy.” Medscape Drugs and Diseases (2020): https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1234293-overview However, most patients report feeling much less pain than would be expected, due to being insensate in the affected area.³Shah, Mrugeshkumar et al. “Charcot Arthropathy.” Medscape Drugs and Diseases (2020): https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1234293-overview

Signs of inflammation that may precede bone deformities are swelling, redness, and warmth in one foot.²Roberts, Lee C. et al. “The Charcot Foot in Diabetes.” Diabetes Care, vol. 34(9) (2011): 2123-2129.https://doi.org/10.2337/dc11-0844 Other symptoms include joint effusion, joint instability, and bone resorption. Foot ulcers and callused areas are common on the skin of the foot, especially covering places where bones protrude.³Shah, Mrugeshkumar et al. “Charcot Arthropathy.” Medscape Drugs and Diseases (2020): https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1234293-overview