What Is Charcot Foot?
Charcot foot is a pattern of bone and joint damage that can lead to foot deformity. Charcot foot begins with peripheral neuropathy, a disease of the nerves in the feet. Because your nerves do not function well, you may not sense pain when you injure your foot.You may break bones or damage joints without knowing it. If you keep walking on your injured foot, fractures can heal unevenly. This causes foot deformity. With Charcot foot, minor fractures can lead to major problems if not treated early.
Acute Charcot Foot
Acute Charcot foot begins when repeated small fractures are not felt. At first, there may be no visible signs of Charcot. If you keep walking on your foot, fractures become worse. Your foot may feel hot and appear red and swollen.
Fractures
Fractures begin to heal as Charcot foot progresses. But pressure from your body weight keeps bones from mending smoothly. Continued walking can cause new fractures. Your foot may still be red and swollen.
Chronic Charcot Foot
Chronic Charcot foot is deformity resulting from poor bone healing. Shoes may not fit the deformed foot. Chafing from a poorly fitting shoe can cause ulcers (open sores). Ulcers may become infected. Severe infection may require amputation.
Publication Source:
Bounton, AJM, Textbook of Diabetic Neuropathy, The diabetic foot, 2003, pp 300-1
Publication Source:
Canale ST, Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, 10th ed., Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (peroneal muscular atrophy), 2003, pp 1377-82
Publication Source:
Frykberg RG et al, Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Suppl 1-60, Diabetic foot disorders. Clinical practice guideline. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and the American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine, Jan 1, 2000
Online Medical Reviewer:
Bhattacharyya, Tim MD
Date Last Reviewed:
1/15/2007
Date Last Modified:
7/9/2002