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What is a Charcot joint?
Charcot joint is a challenging condition affecting different joints, most commonly joints of the foot and ankle. This condition is present most frequently in individuals with peripheral neuropathy– a condition of various causes, characterized by damage to the peripheral nerves. Hallmarks of peripheral neuropathy include weakness, numbness, burning sensation and pain, usually in the hands and feet. The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is long standing and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, followed by alcohol abuse. Peripheral neuropathy, however, can also occur in individuals with nutritional deficiencies, prior trauma, spinal injuries (traumatic or congenital), exposure to certain chemical agents or medications, and other neurological disorders such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
What are the symptoms of Charcot joint?
Charcot joint is a challenging diagnosis since it presents similar to other more common diagnoses such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cellulitis, gout, and osteomyelitis (bone infection). Therefore, it is important for an individual with a history of diabetes or peripheral neuropathy to be promptly evaluated by a foot and ankle specialist to accurately treat and diagnose the condition. Charcot joint typically presents as a red, hot swollen foot or ankle that may or may not be painful. This swelling may persist despite the patient having no history of trauma. Further, the affected area will be warmer to the touch than the other limb and surrounding skin. Walking may become difficult for patients as they experience instability in the foot. This instability may lead to further collapse and breakdown of the skin. The collapse and breakdown ultimately places the limb at high risk for amputation.
How is Charcot joint treated?
Once the diagnosis of a Charcot joint has been made, it becomes critical to stay off of the affected extremity entirely. Often times the lower extremity is offloaded with a total contact cast or walking boot. Once the redness and warmth subside and the swelling decreases, the foot and ankle surgeon may recommend a specialty brace and/or shoes. If there is a significant foot deformity that makes the foot unstable or causes chronic breakdown of the skin, then surgery may be advised.
Why choose the International Center for Limb Lengthening to treat Charcot joints?
The International Center for Limb Lengthening’s foot and ankle surgeons offer our patients the most comprehensive treatment possible as our doctors specialize in both podiatric and orthopedic medicine. With a collective experience of over thirty years of helping patients with lower leg, foot and ankle problems, the Foot and Ankle Service of the Rubin Institute is one of the leading treatment centers for foot and ankle conditions in the United States. Your doctor will take the time to make sure you understand all of your options and then will customize your treatment to meet your specific needs. Our patients benefit from our team-centered approach with world-renowned surgeons and specialized physician assistants, nurses and physical therapists. We help patients with Charcot joints achieve their best possible result.
