About the disease
Charcot foot is a condition that causes deformity in the foot or ankle. It primarily develops as a result of nerve damage such as foot traumas and injuries, long-term weight-lifting and continuous wearing of uncomfortable high-heels, resulting in dislocation or sprain.
High-heels can cause or exacerbate the symptoms of charcot foot, as they unnaturally shift the wearer’s weight onto one part of the foot, which then puts pressure on the ankle. Charcot foot often follows neuropathy, or nerve damage, and is characterized by painful sensations or loss of sensation altogether. Such loss of feeling can occur after a serious sprain or fracture, or after bone dislocation. Someone with Charcot foot will notice that their foot or feet are unusually red and their ankles feel hot and swollen. These symptoms can develop several days or weeks after the trauma has taken place. If not treated in time, charcot foot can result in a deformity of the foot or ankle, which is why it is so important to treat it as soon as possible. Moreover, charcot foot can also create instability of the ankle in future, which is another major complication of this condition.
People who are more susceptible to traumas and dislocations in the foot region must always be aware of the danger of even the slightest dislocations. People who are in the risk group include diabetic patients, patients who suffer from such infections as syphilis and poliomyelitis and people with an addiction to alcohol. People who suffer from neuropathy should also be extra cautious.
Symptoms
- Loss of sensation in the foot or ankle
- Swelling
- Redness
- Unusual warmth in the foot
- Deformation of the foot anatomy
Diagnosis
- During a general examination, the doctor will examine the patient’s foot for any signs of deformity, to determine whether there are any changes in tissue or bone structure. People with neuropathy of the lower extremities should have regular check-ups on their feet.
- A radiograph and other imaging tests are repeatedly performed, to examine the bones and tissue in the foot. Since this disease progresses gradually, it may take several weeks to know for sure whether the patient does indeed have charcot foot.
- An X-ray can also establish whether the patient’s foot and ankle bones have been affected by this disease.
Treatment
- During the first stages, the patient may undergo conservative treatment, including wearing a protective splint that secures the ankle and foot in the right position and prevents the development of any deformities. Special footwear, and in some cases bracing, may also be recommended.
- Surgery may be required to repair the bones and tissue of the foot or ankle, by open reduction. If deformity has already developed, the surgeon can also correct the deformity by fusion. If there is any danger of an ulcer developing in the future, the bony prominence is resected as well.
Authors: Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko
