Are you diabetic with neuropathy? If you are, then you know all about charcot. Never heard of it? Well, listen up. This disorder is one of the leading causing of limb loss for a diabetic patient. And it is the reason a patient of ours recently lost their leg.
Charcot (pronounced shark-o) is the break down of bones at the joint level causing deformity of the foot or ankle. It occurs when the nerves around the joint are not longer functioning properly, thus preventing the feedback mechanism of pain. Pain is what tells you that your shoes are too tight, you are walking too much, your shoes are uncomfortable, your arches are falling, etc. Without this mechanism, you continue to walk and not know you are breaking down your joints.
This breakdown continues with each step eventually resulting in fractures or broken bones, dislocated joints and a deformed look to the foot. The joints most affected are in the arch or center part of the foot. This break down can cause severe dislocation that results in a large bump on the bottom of the foot that we refer to as "rocker bottom". This prominence can then be a pressure point on the inside of the foot leading to ulcers that then lead to infection. And if you've read previous posts, infection is the number one reason you will lose your leg as a diabetic.
How do know if you have Charcot? Warning signs include:
- a very swollen foot and leg that started suddenly without an opening in the skin or any signs of infection
- the foot is starting to change shape, which occurs rather quickly
- a clicking sound when you walk barefoot (this is you walking on a dislocated joint)
- pain when you normally don't have much feeling in your feet
If you think you may have Charcot:
- ice and elevate your foot
- don't walk barefoot
- apply an ace bandage or wear a compression sock to reduce swelling
- call our office for immediate evaluation. Charcot can often be confused with infection and vice versa. A complete exam with xrays is necessary. Often you will be required to stay off the foot and wear a tall boot until the acute phase has passed. After that, we will devise a plan to attempt further breakdown of the foot and possible amputation.
The best thing you can do to save your legs is see a podiatrist. Call us today.
Showing posts with label diabetic neuropathy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diabetic neuropathy. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Causes and Treatment for Diabetic Neuropathy
Dr. Peter Wishnie, owner of Family Foot & Ankle Specialists explains what the causes of diabetic neuropathy are and what treatment options are for the condition. Diabetic neuropathy can cause pain, burning, even amputations! You should regularly visit a podiatrist in order to prevent the complications associated with diabetic neuropathy.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Numb Toes or Feet...Neuropathy??
Numb feet and toes could be a potentially serious condition...especially if you're diabetic! It is essential that you understand this problem and how it could effect your feet! To make a free consultation with one of our highly regarded doctors, make the call today...we'll be sure to get you in!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Diabetic Shoes…”They are not just for diabetics anymore.”
The diagnosis of “diabetes” sends shivers thru most people. While definitely not a death sentence as it has been in the past, the word conjures up the images of needles, tasteless food, the possibility of dialysis and blindness. While this blog won’t attempt to delve into the finer points of the disease, it will focus on just one aspect that will make life easier and attempt to make you aware how to make your diabetes a bit “easier on your feet”.
A common side effect of diabetes is a phenomenon called “diabetic neuropathy”. This is a disease entity that causes your feet to lose the normal sensation of pressure, pain and proprioception. While this might not seem like a big deal compared to other aspects of the disease, if left unchecked, it can lead to infection, amputation and even death.
In addition to checking your feet every day and keeping them clean, warm and dry, diabetic shoes are a simple thing to help extend the life of your neuropathic feet.
The shoes themselves are composed and function in several ways to accomplish this.
First and foremost. If you believe your feet to be neuropathic, you need to visit a or certified Pedorthist to make sure the shape of the shoes fit the shape of your feet. Easily said but not easily done by most people. The diabetic shoes help to accomplish this in several ways.
1) The shape : This is easily done as the shoes have a wider , and higher toe box to make sure that the toes are not being rubbed into the front or top of the shoes. This prevents the formation of blisters and callouses , that in a diabetic can and will lead to disaster. The soles are also a bit more substantial to allow better wear and more shock absorption, as well as a firmer ”footprint “ of the shoe as it contacts the ground.
2) The insoles: These are composed of several special material that cushion, comfort and cradle the foot so that with each step, the foot does not rub against the inside of the shoe. These materials are often “heat sensitive” and form impressions of things such as depressed metatarsals and help to distribute the weight of the foot in a more even pattern as the foot goes thru the gait cycle. Your foot specialist will frequently check these insoles to make sure they are wearing properly, and change them several times a year.
3) Fastening system or “Laces vs. Velcro straps”: If you can’t feel pressure on your feet how is one to know if they are laced too tightly?? Diabetic shoes usually have either one or two wide straps with which the use of Velcro not only make the shoes easy to lace, but help to make sure they are not too tight on the top of the feet. Let’s not forget that neuropathy can also affect the hand as well as the feet. If you can’t feel your fingers, how would one be able to tie shoe laces. This fastening system is also a tremendous boon for the millions of people with moderate to severe arthritis).
To sum up… The triad of daily foot inspection, proper sock s and use of diabetic shoes will go miles in helping to keep your feet ready to take that next big step toward tomorrow, as you deal with the daily struggle against diabetes.
Blog submitted by Rob Kosofsky DPM.
A common side effect of diabetes is a phenomenon called “diabetic neuropathy”. This is a disease entity that causes your feet to lose the normal sensation of pressure, pain and proprioception. While this might not seem like a big deal compared to other aspects of the disease, if left unchecked, it can lead to infection, amputation and even death.
In addition to checking your feet every day and keeping them clean, warm and dry, diabetic shoes are a simple thing to help extend the life of your neuropathic feet.
The shoes themselves are composed and function in several ways to accomplish this.
First and foremost. If you believe your feet to be neuropathic, you need to visit a or certified Pedorthist to make sure the shape of the shoes fit the shape of your feet. Easily said but not easily done by most people. The diabetic shoes help to accomplish this in several ways.
1) The shape : This is easily done as the shoes have a wider , and higher toe box to make sure that the toes are not being rubbed into the front or top of the shoes. This prevents the formation of blisters and callouses , that in a diabetic can and will lead to disaster. The soles are also a bit more substantial to allow better wear and more shock absorption, as well as a firmer ”footprint “ of the shoe as it contacts the ground.
2) The insoles: These are composed of several special material that cushion, comfort and cradle the foot so that with each step, the foot does not rub against the inside of the shoe. These materials are often “heat sensitive” and form impressions of things such as depressed metatarsals and help to distribute the weight of the foot in a more even pattern as the foot goes thru the gait cycle. Your foot specialist will frequently check these insoles to make sure they are wearing properly, and change them several times a year.
3) Fastening system or “Laces vs. Velcro straps”: If you can’t feel pressure on your feet how is one to know if they are laced too tightly?? Diabetic shoes usually have either one or two wide straps with which the use of Velcro not only make the shoes easy to lace, but help to make sure they are not too tight on the top of the feet. Let’s not forget that neuropathy can also affect the hand as well as the feet. If you can’t feel your fingers, how would one be able to tie shoe laces. This fastening system is also a tremendous boon for the millions of people with moderate to severe arthritis).
To sum up… The triad of daily foot inspection, proper sock s and use of diabetic shoes will go miles in helping to keep your feet ready to take that next big step toward tomorrow, as you deal with the daily struggle against diabetes.
Blog submitted by Rob Kosofsky DPM.
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