Problemas de Pie en Español

• Artritis Reumatoide en el Pie y Tobillo
• Biopsia de Tejida Blando
• Buniones (Juanete)
• Coalición Tarsal
• Complicaciones Diabéticas y Prevención de Amputaciones
• Curación de Los Huesos
• Dedo Cruzado
• Dedo en Martillo
• Deformidad de Haglund
• Diabeticas: Estatisticas Alarmantes
• Disfunción de Tendón Tibial Posterior
• Dolor de Talón
• Dolor de Talón Infantil
• Ejercicios de Elongación
• El Dolor Crónico de Tobillo Lateral
• Enfermedad Vascular Periferica (PAD)
• Equinismo
• Esguince de Tobillo
• Fibroma Plantar
• Fractura de Estrés
• Fracturas de Los Dedos Del Pie
• Fracturas de Tobillo
• Fracturas del Calcáneo (Fracturas del Hueso del Talón)
• Fracturas del Quinto Metatarsiano
• Gota
• Hallux Rigidus
• Heridas Por Punción
• Inestabilidad Crónica de Tobillo
• Inicio de Drenaje Siguiendo Los Pasos de Absceso Infectado
• Inflamación Aguda
• Instrucciones par el Cuidado de Heridas
• Instrucciones Para Muletas
• Juanetes de Sastre
• Lesión del Domo Talar
• Lesiones de Lisfranc
• Lesiones del Tendón Peroneo
• Lesiones en un Hueso Sesamoideo del Pie
• Melanoma Maligno del Pie
• Necesito un Examen Para PAD?
• Neuroma de Morton
• Neuropatía Diabética Periférica
• Osteoartritis del Pie y el Tobillo
• Pie Cavo (Pie de Arco Alto)
• Pie de Atleta
• Pie de Charcot
• Pie Diabético
• Pie Plano Flexible
• Pie Plano Pediátrico
• Que Usted Espera con el Tratamiento de Acido par Alas Verrugas
• Que Usted Espera Por Las Inyecciones de Esteriodes
• Quiste de Ganglio
• Ruptura del Tendón de Aquiles
• Síndrome del Hueso Trigono
• Síndrome del Navicular Accesorio
• Síndrome del Túnel Tarsiano
• Tendinitis de Aquiles
• Terapia con Onda de Choque Extracorporea (ESWT)
• Trastornos Comunes del Tendón de Aquiles
• Trombosis Venosa Profunda
• Uña Encarnada del Dedo del Pie
• Uña Infectada Por Hongos
• Verruga Plantar (Verruca Plantaris)

Charcot Foot

What is the Charcot foot?

Charcot foot is the sudden softening of the bones in the foot that can occur in people who have significant nerve damage, or neuropathy. The bones are weakened enough to fracture, and with continued walking the foot will eventually change its shape. As the disorder progresses, the arch collapses and the foot takes on a convex shape, giving it a rocker-bottom appearance, making it very difficult to walk. Charcot foot is a very serious condition that can lead to severe deformity, disability, and even amputation. Because of its seriousness, it is important for patients with diabetes (often associated with neuropathy) to take preventative measures and seek immediate care if signs and symptoms appear.

What causes Charcot foot and how is Charcot foot diagnosed?

Charcot foot develops as a result of neuropathy, which decreases sensation and the ability to feel temperature, pain, or trauma. When neuropathy is severe, there is a total lack of feeling in the feet. Because of neuropathy, the pain of an injury goes unnoticed and the patient continues to walk, making the injury worse. People with neuropathy (especially those who have had it for a long time) are at risk for developing Charcot foot. In addition, neuropathic patients with a tight Achilles tendon have been shown to have a tendency to develop this disorder.

Early diagnosis of Charcot foot is extremely important for successful treatment. To arrive at a diagnosis, the surgeon will examine the foot and ankle and ask about events that may have occurred prior to the symptoms. X-Rays are also essential for the diagnosis. In more severe cases, others tests may be performed as well as lab tests be ordered. Once the treatment for Charcot foot begins, X-Rays are performed periodically to help aid in evaluating the current status of the treatment.

Symptoms of Charcot foot often appear after a sudden trauma or even a minor repetitive trauma such as long walks. A sudden trauma includes mishaps such as dropping something on the foot, or a sprain or fracture of the foot. The symptoms of Charcot foot are similar to those of infection. Although infection and Charcot foot are different conditions, both are serious problems requiring medical treatment. Other symptoms include:

• Warmth to the touch (the foot feels warmer than others)
  
  
• Redness in the foot
  
  
• Pain or soreness of the foot.
  
  
• Swelling in the area around the arch of the foot
  
  

How can Charcot foot be prevented?

• Diabetes patients should keep blood sugar levels under control. This has been shown to reduce the progression of nerve damage in the feet.
  
  
• Get regular check-ups from a foot and ankle surgeon.
  
  
• Check both feet every day and see a surgeon immediately if symptoms of Charcot foot appear.
  
  
• Be careful to avoid injury, such as bumping the foot or overdoing an exercise program.
  
  
• Follow the physician's instructions for long-term treatment to prevent recurrences, ulcers, and amputation.
  
  

Treatment normally includes:

• Immobilization of the foot. Because the foot and ankle are so fragile during the early stages of Charcot, the foot and ankle must be protected so the soft bones can repair themselves. Complete non-weightbearing is necessary to keep the foot from further collapsing. The patient will not be able to walk on the affected foot until the surgeon determines it is safe to do so. During this time, the patient may be fitted with a cast, removable boot, or brace, and may be required to use crutches or a wheelchair. It may take several months to heal, although it can take considerably longer in some patients.
  
  
• Custom shoes and bracing. Shoes with special inserts may be needed after the bones have healed to enable the patient to return to daily activities, as well as help with the reoccurrence of Charcot foot, development of ulcers, and possibly amputation. In cases with significant deformity, bracing is also required.
  
  
• Activity modifications. A modification in activity level may be needed to avoid repetitive trauma to both feet. A patient with Charcot in one foot is more likely to develop it in the other foot, so measures must be taken to protect both feet.
  
  
• Surgery. In some cases, surgery may be required. The foot and ankle surgeon will determine the surgical procedure best suited for the patient based on the severity of the deformity and the patient's physical condition.
  
  

**NOTE: The patient plays a vital role in preventing Charcot foot and its complications. It is EXTREMELY important for the patient to follow the treatment plan provided by the physician for Charcot foot. Failure to do so can lead to the loss of a toe, foot, leg, or life.