Charcot foot, also called Charcot arthropathy, is a disease that attacks the bones, joints, and soft tissue in your feet. When it starts, you may not realize something’s wrong. But eventually, it can cause painful sores or change the shape of your foot. But if you know what to look for, your doctor can diagnose and treat the problem before it causes much damage. Charcot foot affects people who can’t feel anything in their feet and ankles because of nerve damage. That’s a common problem for people with diabetes.

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There’s no specific cause for Charcot foot. But some things can trigger it:

• A sprain or broken bone that doesn’t get treatment quickly

• A sore on your foot that doesn’t heal

• An infection

• Foot surgery that heals slowly

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As these problems begin, you may not know that your foot is hurt since nerve damage keeps you from feeling pain. So the injury or sore gets worse as you walk on it. Then the bones in the foot begin to lose the calcium that makes them strong.

 

If you suspect that you have Charcot foot or know someone who does, make an appointment with our doctors today.  Only a trained professional can diagnose and treat Charcot disease.