Charcot foot is a rare condition that may develop because of diabetes. The middle region of your foot tends to have a rocker bottom and your toes become twisted like a crab to support you better. You are most likely to have a Charcot Foot if you have type 2 diabetes and have a neurological condition. The feeling of touch or cramped walking is a clear sign of Charcot’s foot.
In this blog, we will discuss the Charcot foot surgery and things to consider before undergoing the surgery. Along with that, we will explore the possibilities to prevent this condition and overcome it.
What Is Charcot Foot?
Medical term-wise, a Charcot foot is a Midfoot deformity where the tendons of your ankles and joints tend to break. The first toe twists inwardly and you can see a bony fragmentation at the arch of your foot. This condition is sporadic and can cause nerve damage which makes one foot warmer than the other.
If neglected at an early stage, you may start to lose the feeling in your foot and have to remove your foot. It can cause infection which can spread throughout your body and can be life-threatening. You must keep a regular check on your foot and blood sugar levels to avoid this complication.
How Is Diabetes-Related Neuropathy Connected To Charcot Foot?
Individuals with diabetes and neuropathy are more at risk for developing this condition. When you experience a fall or an accident in your foot or ankles, your injury heals quickly. However, in the case of individuals with diabetes and neuropathy, there is constrained blood circulation and a lack of blood to heal the injury. Often, these patients are unaware of the injury as they cannot feel it.
The recovery time for a diabetic patient is longer than a healthy person which makes the situation even worse. When the injury is not healed properly it becomes infectious and causes fracture. A normal person experiencing foot or ankle injury may face adjustments in their stand or a sprain, but it is different in the case when the patient has diabetic neuropathy.
Treatment Of Charcot Foot
While there are chances that you may recover your Charcot foot, it is important to manage and make adjustments to your life. This can help you regain balance in your feet and lead a happy life.
👉 Reducing The Weight Off Your Foot
Walking with a foot injury is always a bad idea. To manage the condition, your healthcare provider may ask you to take assistance while walking to put your foot off the pressure. The use of walkers, a cast, or a crutch can help you walk without putting too much pressure on the affected foot. It will also prevent the injury leading to a fracture or excessive swelling.
👉 Toe Correctors
If bone fragmentation has started to show in the foot, then it is advised to wear a compression case like toe correctors to manage the Charcot foot. These orthotic footwear will extend from your toe to the ankle depending on your injury. You can get it customized like a caste or brace which will support you when you walk.
👉 Physical Therapy
Regular movements and leg exercises can help you recover from the Midfoot. It will eliminate the discomfort, stiffness, and pain in your foot with the help of massages and exercises.
👉 Charcot Foot Surgery
Charcot foot surgery is one of the most non-invasive approaches as opposed to amputation. Before the infection spreads throughout your body, your healthcare provider will put surgery as your option to survive. This surgery may involve reconstruction or remodeling of the bones in the foot and ankles to stabilize your foot.
What To Consider Before Going For The Surgery?
Treating Charcot entropy with surgery is one of the last resorts to save your foot from getting removed. There are risks involved with the surgery that can damage your nerves or delay the healing period. You should consider how your life will be changed after the surgery and how many adjustments you will have to make after that.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to get your foot checked for the symptoms of Charcot foot to manage the condition from the start. This will help you adjust to your condition and instill quick recovery from any severe complications.
