|
Data Sheet 191 |
| Term |
Charcot Foot |
| Short Definition |
Charcot foot is
a complication of diabetes that almost
always occurs in those with neuropathy (nerve damage). When neuropathy is
present, the bones in the foot become weakened and can fracture easily, even
without there being any major trauma. As the neuropathy is present, the pain
goes unnoticed and the person continues to walk on it. This can lead to
severe deformities of the foot. As this can be very disabling, early
diagnosis and treatment is vitally important.
Another way to consider it - imagine
spraining your ankle and not knowing you have done this. You will continue
to walk on it - imagine the damage that this would do. This is what happens
in a Charcot foot. |
| Long Definition |
Charcot foot is the term given to neurogenic arthropathy
that affects the joints in the foot. Neurogenic arthropathy is a rapidly
progressive degenerative arthritis that
results from damaged nerves (neuropathy). In Charcot foot, pain perception
and the ability to sense the position of the joints in the foot are severely
impaired or lost, and muscles lose their ability to support the joint (s)
properly. Loss of these motor and sensory nerve functions allow minor
traumas such as sprains and stress fractures to go undetected and untreated,
leading to ligament laxity (slackness),
joint dislocation, bone erosion, cartilage damage, and deformity of the
foot. The bones most often affected are the
metatarsals and the tarsals, located
in the forefoot and midfoot, respectively.` |
| References |
|
141,142, 144 158,160, 163, 164f ,
23, 84, 156, 167, 169 |
|
| Graphics |
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| Links |
http://www.diabetic-foot.com.au/charcots.htm |