The Terrible Damage of Charcot Foot

A severe and unfortunate development frequently seen in diabetic patients who have peripheral neuropathy is called Charcot Foot disease. This condition is characterized by the main joints in the feet and ankles collapsing under the weight of the patient, without the patient even being aware of the injury due to numbness. Sometimes this condition can go unnoticed and untreated for months with the resulting damage requiring complete removal of the foot.

Obviously, an early diagnosis and treatment of Charcot foot is necessary to prevent permanent and irreversible damage to the foot.

Charcot Foot treatments

Charcot foot can be treated without severe complications if it is caught early enough. Some early treatments include the following:

●     Resting and foot immobilization—Decreasing all weight from the foot is essential for correct healing. A wheelchair will be required in the beginning, and a rigid boot will then be prescribed to immobilize the foot during the healing process.

●     Adjustments to all activities—Activities will have to be monitored and adjusted to alleviate stress on your feet.

●     Wearing properly supportive shoes—It can take many months to heal from a Charcot Foot injury and properly fitted shoes with orthotic inserts and braces will speed the healing process and help to prevent any further damage.

The unaffected foot will be severely stressed from taking over the duties of both feet so careful monitoring with the help of your foot care professional is essential to avoid a possible double amputation. At Fit Feet for Life, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies and years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including heel pain, sports injuries, toe deformities, nail fungus, and plantar warts.  Bonnie Sanchez, DPM, and Gregory Cook, DPM, provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area at our five offices conveniently located in Sun City Center, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and our two Tampa locations. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.