The Charcot’s joint is also known as Charcot foot or Charcot arthropathy. This is a disease which attacks the bones, joints and soft tissue in your feet. When the Charcot’s joint starts, then you may not realize that something is wrong. But eventually, this can cause painful sores or changes in the shape of your foot. You should talk with your doctor because he or she will diagnose and treat your problem before it causes bigger damage.
Symptoms
The first signs of the Charcot’s joint include
- Swollen food
- Foot feel warm to the touch
- Reddish foot
Causes: The Charcot’s joint affects people who cannot feel anything in their feet and ankles due to the nerve damage. This is a very common problem for people who suffer from diabetes. Also, there are things which cause nerve damage, such as
- Syphilis
- HIV
- Parkinson’s disease
- Spinal cord disease or injury
- An infection
- Alcohol or drug abuse
There is no a specific cause for the Charcot’s joint. There are some things which can trigger it, such as
- Foot surgery that heals slowly
- An infection
- A sore on your foot that does not heal
- A sprain or broken bone that does not get treatment quickly
When these problems begin, you may not know that your foot is hurt because the nerve damage keeps you from feeling pain. The injury or the sore gets worse as you are walking on it. Then, the bones in your foot begin to lose the calcium which makes them strong.
Complications
When your bones get weaker, then they can break and move out of place. When this happens, then:
- Your toes can curl.
- Your foot can lose its shape. It is known that the arch in the middle of your foot can drop until the bones are lower than your heel or toes. There are some cases when doctors call this condition “rocker bottom”.
- Your bones can press against your shoes which can cause open sores on your skin that can get infected. The poor blood flow is the common side effect of diabetes and it can make hard for infections to heal. If this is happening for too long, then you may need to have your foot removed.
- Your ankle can become twisted and unsteady.
