J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2013 Dec;17(4):243-250.

Treatment of Diabetic Charcot Arthropathy

• Chung HJ

Abstract

Diabetic Charcot arthropathy is a severe joint disease in the foot and ankle that can result in fracture, permanent deformity, limb loss. Although recent research has improved our level of knowledge regarding its etiology and treatment, it still remains a poorly understood disease. It is a serious and potentially limb-threatening lower-extremity late complication of diabetes mellitus and its diagnosis is commonly missed upon initial presentation. Clinicians treating diabetic patients should be vigilant in recognizing early signs of acute Charcot arthropathy, such as pain, warmth, edema, or pathologic fracture in a neuropathic foot. Early detection and prompt treatment can prevent joint and bone destruction. If left untreated, it can reduce overall quality of life and dramatically increase morbidity and mortality of patients. The goal of this manuscript is to evaluate the current concepts of Charcot arthropathy through review of various literature and help clinicians decide the treatment strategy.

Keyword

Foot and ankle; Diabetic charcot athropathy; Current concepts

MeSH Terms

Ankle
Congenital Abnormalities
Diabetes Mellitus
Diagnosis
Edema
Extremities
Foot
Fractures, Spontaneous
Humans
Joint Diseases
Joints
Mortality
Quality of Life