People with diabetes are prone to health complications, including people with lower limbs and feet.
However, few people understand what the diabetic Charcotte’s feet are, what causes it, and how to prevent this complication of diabetes.
In this article, we’ll explain all you need to know about the fascinating feet of diabetes and what to do if you’re experiencing this complication of diabetes.
Charcotte’s arthritis, also known as Charcotte’s neurothymus or charcot’s foot, is a rare complication of diabetes and affects 0.1-7.5% of all people with diabetes.
As people have long been suffering from diabetes and fight high blood sugar levels for many years, excess glucose in the bloodstream causes vascular damage.
This can cause neurological damage in the lower limbs and feet. This is a relatively common complication of diabetes.
Charcot foot is one of the most serious foot problems that can arise from neurological disorders.
It can occur as a result of undetected damage, infection, or foot bone injuries, leading to serious deformity and impairment.
This occurs because most people lose emotions in their feet and ankles when they suffer from neurological disorders and are unable to detect whether their feet are injured or infected.
Charcot foot can cause disruption of the joints of the foot, making infection more possible, leading to permanent immobilization, impairment, and even amputation.
Anyone with diabetes (any form of diabetes) is at risk of Charcotte’s feet. Charcotte mainly affects people with diabetes.
However, the main risk factors for developing this complication are:
- If you are over 40 years old
- If you have diabetes for more than 7 years
- If you smoke regularly
- If you tend to sit
- If you drink alcohol regularly
- If you also have high blood pressure (hypertension)
- If you’re overweight or obese
- If you have high cholesterol
- If you have kidney disease or chronic kidney disease (CKD)
If you have diabetic neuropathy, it can be difficult to know that you have injured or damaged your leg, as you lose the emotions and sensations in your lower limbs and feet.
This is why it is important to check with your doctor for regular health checks so that you can look at your feet and lower limbs for infection or injury.
However, the following symptoms may indicate that you have Charcotte’s feet:
- Foot pain
- Discoloration or redness of the feet
- Swelling (difficult to attach shoes to feet)
- Feelings of heat and warmth (usually only affected feet)
Advanced Charcot has the following symptoms:
- Rocker bottom feet with the entire arch of your feet bulging
- The shape of the toes changes, causing the toes to bend or curl downwards
- The shape of the ankle changes, causing the curved ankle to enter and exit the affected foot
- Foot ulcers and open pain
- Open wounds and infections
If you are regularly consulted by a doctor to treat diabetes, they should always have a physical foot test.
They look at the happiness of your feet, including sensations, bone structure, toenails, skin health, and look for injuries, damage, or infections.
If your doctor suspects you have Charcotte’s feet, they will order imaging and blood work to assess.
The following tests can diagnose Charcot foot.
Warn your doctor if you notice changes in your feet and have diabetes.
They help eliminate complications of diabetes, such as neuropathy and Charcott’s feet, before you develop a damaging diagnosis.
What treatment options are?
Charcot foot is a serious diabetes complication that requires immediate attention.
To prevent the condition from getting worse is the best treatment for attractive feet.
Your doctor will probably treat Charcotte’s feet by:
- While your feet are healing, remove weight from affected feet by prescribing braces, crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs.
- Prescribe braces to help you melt your feet better with wear on your shoes. You may also need supportive foot or ankle braces. If your socks or shoes are not fitting properly, ask your doctor for recommendations.
- Physical therapy to help with pain and improve mobility. You can work with your physical therapist to create an exercise plan that will improve your feet and overall health.
- Surgery for extreme cases of Charcot Foot. This can occur when the damage to the foot is extensive (including foldable bones, joints or ulcers or infections; in rare cases, leg amputations may be required).
Learn more about footwear for diabetic neuropathy:
If you are diagnosed with Charcot Foot and dealt with it early, you should be able to avoid serious complications and permanent disability.
However, to check progress, regular health checks with a doctor who wants to follow-up imaging and additional foot tests (after treatment).
If you have been diagnosed with late-stage Charcot foot, you may need to learn to walk differently. You may also need a wheelchair.
Having Charcotte’s feet may hinder your ability to maintain your activity. This is important if you have diabetes.
Talk to your doctor about strategies to stay active with Charcot Foot, such as activities that have less impact on your foot, such as cycling or swimming.
It is rare for someone to need amputation as a result of an attractive foot, but that happens.
If you have diabetes, prevention is important. Make sure your blood sugar levels stay within healthy ranges, eat healthy foods, and stay physically active according to your age.
Contact a registered dietitian (RD) who can work with your doctor to set realistic blood sugar goals for your lifestyle, work for you, and create a dietary plan that will help you achieve your health goals.
It is also important to maintain activity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that most adults exercise at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Additionally, there are several days of strength training each week to maintain good health according to your age.
Consult your doctor regularly for diabetes health checks and foot tests.
They can monitor the progression of existing diabetes complications and deal with foot damage and infection before they reach more serious health conditions like Charcott’s feet.
Finally, you can reduce the risk of diabetes-related foot problems by doing the following:
- Check your feet every day
- Clean, dry your feet and wash them every day
- Cut your toenails regularly and keep them shorter
- Don’t walk barefoot
- Wear clean socks and appropriate shoes every day.
- Keep your blood flow by lifting your legs while sitting, swinging your toes frequently and staying active all day
