When Charcot foot first begins, you may not realize anything is wrong. Over time, however, Charcot foot can cause painful sores and even change the shape of your foot.

Early treatment is key. If you catch Charcot foot early and treat the condition, you can potentially avoid permanent deformity.

At New Canaan Podiatry, board-certified podiatrist, Jennifer Tauber, DPM, is dedicated to helping patients understand the signs of Charcot foot. We’ve put together this article that explains what you should look out for and how you can find treatment. Read on to learn more!

What is Charcot foot?

Charcot foot is a rare but serious condition. It negatively impacts the joints, bones, and tissues in your foot and ankle. Over time as the bones get weaker and weaker, they can break and cause the joints in your foot and ankle to dislocate.

If not caught and treated early, these joints can collapse and cause permanent foot disfiguration where the bottom of your foot resembles a rocker.

When your foot’s deformed, it creates pressure in the wrong places and leads to foot sores on the feet and ankles. These sores can be difficult to treat and lead to infection and even amputation in severe cases.

Who is at risk for developing Charcot foot?

Charcot foot develops in people who have peripheral neuropathy, a condition linked to diabetes.

When you have peripheral neuropathy, your nerves don’t work properly. This disrupts the signals going from the peripheral areas of your body back to the brain through the central nervous system. As a result, you lose sensation in your feet.

When your feet are numb, you don’t notice the pain from cuts, sores, fractures, and other foot trauma. This causes the bones in your feet to become more and more damaged as you continue to walk and stand on them in their weakened state.

What are the top signs of Charcot foot?

If you have peripheral neuropathy, it’s important to recognize the warning signs of Charcot foot. Early treatment can potentially save your foot from severe, permanent disfiguration.

Here are the top signs of Charcot foot:

• Redness in the impacted foot
• A foot that feels warmer than usual to the touch
• Swelling around the affected foot and/or ankle
• Pain or soreness in the affected foot
• Bony protrusions on the bottom of the affected foot
• A foot that looks deformed or has a rocker-shaped bottom

What do I do if I suspect Charcot foot?

If you’re concerned you might have Charcot foot, it’s important to see Dr. Tauber and the team at New Canaan Podiatry to get an accurate diagnosis.

Charcot foot is frequently mistaken for other conditions that negatively impact your feet, like arthritis, deep vein thrombosis, and gout.

If you notice you have any of the top signs of Charcot foot, early medical attention is essential. Patients who receive early diagnosis and treatment experience better long-term outcomes than those in the advanced stages.

If caught early, reconstruction of a Charcot foot helps strengthen your bones and can help you avoid extreme treatments, like an amputation.

If you suspect you have Charcot foot, don’t delay! Contact our New Canaan office today!