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If you have neuropathy, your condition can progress into Charcot foot, causing swelling, redness, and even deformity. That’s why you need superior foot care from the expert podiatry team at Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists. They have the expertise and experience to treat your condition with the utmost care. To learn more, reach out to the location nearest you at one of their locations in Louisville, Leitchfield, Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville, Fern Creek, and Jeffersonville, Kentucky. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and develop a treatment plan quickly. Call or book online today.
What is Charcot foot?
Charcot foot is a condition defined by the progressive degeneration of the joints, bones, and soft tissues of the foot or ankle. It’s a serious and often debilitating complication of neuropathy, a condition that impairs nerve function.
Charcot foot is most commonly associated with diabetes, but it can also be seen in individuals with other neuropathic conditions.
How does Charcot foot develop?
The development of Charcot foot is closely linked to peripheral neuropathy, which diminishes the ability to feel pain, temperature, or trauma in the affected areas.
When neuropathy is present, injuries or stress to the foot may go unnoticed, leading to repeated microtrauma. Without the normal pain response, these repeated stresses can result in fractures or dislocations within the foot, initiating the degenerative process characteristic of Charcot foot.
What are the symptoms of Charcot foot?
The symptoms of Charcot foot can vary, and the condition often progresses in stages:
Initial stages
In the beginning stages, there may be swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected foot.
Advanced stages
As the condition progresses, the foot can become deformed, with changes in the shape of the arch, the development of ulcers, and possible instability.
When left untreated, Charcot foot can lead to severe deformities, chronic pain, and difficulty walking.
How is Charcot foot treated?
The Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists team aims to stabilize the foot, prevent further deformity, and manage complications using:
Immobilization
Keeping the foot in a cast or brace to limit movement and provide support is crucial in the early stages of Charcot foot to prevent further damage.
Non-weight-bearing
Patients may need to avoid putting weight on the affected foot for an extended period to allow for healing and prevent additional stress.
Custom orthotics
Custom-designed shoe inserts can help redistribute pressure on the foot and provide support to prevent deformities.
Temperature control
Monitoring and controlling temperature in the affected foot is important to reduce inflammation. This may involve the use of temperature-regulating footwear.
Regular follow-up
Close monitoring by your provider is essential to track the condition’s progression, adjust treatment plans as needed, and promptly address any complications.
Surgery may sometimes be required to correct deformities, stabilize the foot, or address complications like infected ulcers.
If you show signs of Charcot foot, reach out to the practice today for early detection, prompt intervention, and prevention of further complications. Call or book online today.