What is Charcot Foot?

A less common but very serious podiatric condition that we treat at Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle is Charcot Foot.  This disorder is a type of arthritis that causes bones in the feet and ankles to spontaneously fracture. Often the arch of the foot will collapse and a severe deformity results. This can cause excessive pressure on the bottom of the foot and lead to open sores or ulcers. Charcot Foot can start suddenly and be painless.

Causes

The average age of people who have Charcot Foot is 40. It affects people who have severe neuropathy or nerve damage in the feet. Diabetic patients are particularly prone to Charcot Foot due to the neuropathy that is often a part of that disease. The neuropathy packs a double punch: due to the characteristic decreased sensation in the foot, patients with Charcot Foot often continue to walk on the damaged foot, increasing the severity of the injury.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Since acute pain is not a symptom of Charcot Foot, people at risk for developing this problem need to watch for:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Part of the foot feeling warmer than the rest of the foot
• Soreness

Diagnosis and Treatment

Our board certified foot and ankle doctor, Larry Hotchkiss, DPM, will take a complete medical history and then examine your feet and ankles. X-rays and other diagnostic tests may be ordered. If Charcot Foot is confirmed, periodic x-rays will be needed to check the progression of Charcot Foot. Digital x-rays are available in both our Clinton and Waldorf offices and make it more convenient for our patients instead of having to go to offsite to have these imaging studies done.

The earlier treatment begins the better the outcome. Depending on the severity of the damage, the podiatrist may try one of several non-surgical options, including: immobilization (to allow the bones to heal), custom orthotic devices for footwear and bracing. Sometimes, if the deformity is already quite bad and sores and ulcers are forming, surgery is necessary to fix fractures and remove bone fragments.

If you have neuropathy and are experiencing any of the above symptoms, call our Waldorf or Clinton office at (301) 868-3899 or (301) 843-9581 for an appointment as soon as possible.