Understanding Charcot Foot

Charcot foot is a disease that attacks the bones, joints, and soft tissue in the feet. It progresses slowly. Unchecked, it can cause painful sores or even change the shape of your foot. The good news is that early diagnosis and intervention can lead to treatment and prevent any permanent damage from occurring.

The people who are most at risk of Charcot foot are those with nerve damage that makes it hard to experience sensation in their feet. This is a common problem for patients with diabetes. Others at risk include those who abuse drugs or alcohol and those with infections, Parkinson’s disease, or spinal injuries.

Doctors are unsure about what exactly causes Charcot foot, but they have identified some triggers including:

• a foot fracture or sprained ankle that does not receive prompt attention
• an unhealed sore on your foot
• infection
• surgery

For those with diminished sensation in their feet, it can be hard to perceive the discomfort that would typically accompany any of these situations. Early symptoms include redness, swelling, and a sensation of warmth. Continuing to walk on the injured foot damages the bones, and then Charcot foot sets in. Later symptoms include:

• a change in the shape of the foot, particularly “rocker bottom,” in which the arch bones drop until they become lower than the heel or the toes
• curled toes
• unsteady or twisted ankles
• ulcerated wounds that result from the bones in the foot rubbing unnaturally against shoes

Managing Charcot foot can be challenging, and will likely require an extended period of rest and medication. A board-certified podiatrist like Dr. Stavros O. Alexopolous is skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of Charcot foot and all other injuries and illnesses of the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Everyone should see a podiatrist at least once a year for examination; this is especially critical for diabetics and other with restricted blood flow or poor sensation in their feet.

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