What is a charcot foot?

When you have diabetes, one of the complications may be that you gradually lose the sense of feeling in your feet.
It is part of what we call neuritis or diabetic neuropathy.
When you have neuritis, you may find it difficult to feel pain if your feet are overstressed.

Overstressing your feet may, in rare cases, lead to a condition that we call charcot foot.
With a charcot foot there is a risk that your foot and ankle bones may collapse.
At the same time, a condition of irritation occurs in the foot.
A charcot foot can in principle also be described as a fatigue fracture.
If you do not treat the condition, the shape of your foot will change, and if your foot changes shape, there is a significant risk that you will have pressure sores your foot later.

The symptoms of charcot foot are that your foot swells and gets hot.
You can also experience aches, pains or unrest in your foot.
Many people describe it as an unpleasant throbbing or grumbling in the foot.

The symptoms of charcot foot develop over time.
The changes often begin in one foot, but you can actually get the disease in both feet.

It is important that you contact your diabetes care provider as soon as possible if you experience that your foot gets hot, becomes swollen or if you feel pain or unrest on your foot.

Your foot will be x-rayed and scanned at the hospital.
Blood tests will also be taken.
Pressure must be taken off your foot, if you have a charcot foot.
In fact, this means that there may be no pressure on your foot.
Your foot will be put in a removable boot or plaster cast.
You will need crutches and possibly a wheelchair.
It is important that you do not step on your foot until the condition has passed.
It may take several months and sometimes up to a full year before the condition has passed, and in some cases, an operation may be required.
Once you have a charcot foot, you will often need specially sewn shoes to avoid pressure sores.
And you must be aware for the rest of your life that the disease may flare up again.

For more information go to www.helbredsprofilen.dk