Move on from Charcot

Charcot disease can be a serious condition that may occur anywhere in the body, but often affects the lower extremities like the foot or the ankle. Charcot in the foot or ankle is indicated by a sudden softening of the bones, often a result of diabetes or injury.

Charcot in the foot can also be caused by alcohol or drug abuse, infection, spinal cord injury, various neurological diseases and conditions, or even heavy-metal poisoning.¹

Charcot foot may cause a host of problems, including joint loss, fractures, arch collapse, deformity, and ulcer formation. If left untreated, complications from Charcot can lead to amputation. That's why it's critical that you contact a healthcare professional for further evaluation.²

Symptoms

The telltale signs of Charcot often come on suddenly, making management tricky.² Some common symptoms include:

• Warmness to the touch, redness, and swelling in the foot or ankle³
• Persistent pain or soreness
• Visual deformity, such as the "rocker bottom" appearance to the foot
• Loss of protective sensation⁴
• Ulcer formation, especially those slow to heal

Diabetes & Charcot
By the Numbers

Diabetic foot is one of the leading causes of patient disability worldwide.⁵ Learn more about the relationship between Diabetes and Charcot.

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Find a Surgeon

Move on from Charcot. Early prevention may be key. Don’t wait to speak with a doctor to see what treatment option is right for you.

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References

1. Kaynak G, Birsel O, Guven FM. (2013). An overview of the Charcot foot pathophysiology. Diabetic Foot & Ankle. https://doi.org/10.3402/dfa.v4i0.21117.
2. Rare Diabetes Foot Complication Becoming More Common - Foot Health Facts; American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). (n.d.). www.foothealthfacts.org. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.foothealthfacts.org/article/rare-diabetes-foot-complication-becoming-more-comm#
3. Charcot Foot - Foot Health Facts; American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. (n.d.). www.foothealthfacts.org. https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/charcot-foot
4. Singh N, Armstrong DG, Lipsky BA. Preventing foot ulcers inpatients with diabetes. JAMA 2005;293:217–28.
5. Walicka, M., Raczyńska, M., Marcinkowska, K., Lisicka, I., Czaicki, A., Wierzba, W., & Franek, E. (2021). Amputations of Lower Limb in Subjects with Diabetes Mellitus: Reasons and 30-Day Mortality. Journal of diabetes research, 2021, 8866126. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8866126.