Charcot Foot

This is a condition that affects approximately 1 of every 700 people who have diabetes, and it is usually limited to those who have moderate to severe loss of feeling in their feet. Charcot foot is more common among people who are overweight, but it can also occur in thin people. No one is quite sure how Charcot foot begins. However, it is thought that an incidental trauma or a twist of the foot that injures some of the ligaments that support the arch of the foot could be the cause. Once the ligaments are damaged, the bones begin grinding against one another and the arch may collapse. The damage often goes unnoticed because the person has already lost feeling in the foot. With the collapse of the bones in the arch, the person’s weight is distributed differently along the sole of the foot, introducing pressure points and irritation, which may lead to sores and infection.

If your foot swells without explanation and is warm to the touch with no apparent break in the skin, you may have Charcot foot. When these symptoms occur, be sure your healthcare provider or foot doctor (podiatrist) examines your foot. Charcot foot must be differentiated from the red, hot, swollen foot caused by infection. With infection, you should go the emergency room immediately.

Rest is the primary treatment for Charcot foot. Depending on the severity of the damage, no weight should be placed on it for several weeks. Permanent foot deformities can be avoided if the condition is diagnosed and treated early.