Charcot Neuroarthropathy is an uncommon yet serious complication that can affect people with neuropathy, particularly those that suffer from diabetes mellitus. Charcot influences the bones, joints, and delicate tissues of the foot or ankle. The bones become frail and can break very easily, not to forget that the joints in the foot or lower leg can dislocate easily. If not diagnosed in its most early stage, the joints in the foot may collapse, and the foot in the long run will develop several deformities. A deformed foot can cause complex injuries to be developed in the foot or ankle. An open injury with foot deformation can lead to infection and even amputation in severe cases.
Charcot foot is a condition that develops in persons who already suffer from peripheral neuropathy. This is a condition in which the nerves in the lower legs and feet have been damaged. People during the early stages of the Charcot neuroarthropathy, observe redness, and feel warm on touching, and there is quite a significant swelling that can be observed.
As these problems of Charcot Neuroarthropathy begin, one may not realize that his foot is hurt or bleeding because nerve damage keeps you from feeling the stimulus and pain. Therefore, the condition of the injury or the wound worsens as you walk on it. Following this lack of stimulus, the bones of the foot start lacking the calcium elements, thus, weakening the bones.
Treatment:-
It may take several months to treat the Charcot Neuroarthropathy. However, the only key is to ease the stress on your injured foot.
As stated by lermagazine.com, the people that want to recover from this condition should try to stay off their feet. Your podiatrist will put your feet in a cast. This will shield it and keep it steady and firm, preventing it from moving. For the next 2 or 3 months, your podiatrist will probably change the cast several times as the swelling reduces significantly.
After your doctor takes off the last cast, you’ll be asked to wear the prescribed shoes having custom foot orthotics that fit your feet properly. These footwears are effective enough to relieve and protect the pressure points that can cause injuries or sores. You might need to use a brace, as well. Of course, some alterations will be asked to be done from your end, this will include using preventive measures to put less pressure on affected feet.
Surgery will be the last option. Your doctor will only go through this route only if things are beyond the non-invasive treatments. Your injuries have your foot unstable or you can’t wear special shoes or braces that are prescribed by your podiatrist. A bad sore or pain in the feet can also lead to surgery. During the operation, the surgeon tends to realign or fuse bones to make your foot more stable and capable. The surgeon will also smoothen the sharp bones that can cut into your skin and cause wounds that you will not be able to even feel.