What is Charcot neuropathy?

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) is a chronic, devastating, and destructive disease of the bone structure and joints in patients with neuropathy; it is characterized by painful or painless bone and joint destruction in limbs that have lost sensory innervation [1].

What are the stages of Charcot?

There are three phases of Charcot neuroarthropathy, acute (destructive), sub-acute (reparative), and chronic (stabilized). The entire process can take 6-12 months to resolve. In the acute phase, the foot and ankle exhibits significant swelling, erythema (redness), and warmth. It may be painful but frequently isn’t.

What are the symptoms of Charcot?

Symptoms

  • Weakness in your legs, ankles and feet.
  • Loss of muscle bulk in your legs and feet.
  • High foot arches.
  • Curled toes (hammertoes)
  • Decreased ability to run.
  • Difficulty lifting your foot at the ankle (footdrop)
  • Awkward or higher than normal step (gait)
  • Frequent tripping or falling.

Is Charcot hereditary?

CMT is caused by an inherited fault in one of the many genes responsible for the development of the peripheral nerves. This fault means the nerves become damaged over time. A child with CMT may have inherited the genetic fault responsible for the condition from 1 or both of their parents.

How quickly does Charcot foot progress?

The location, the magnitude of deformity, and the time course are patient-specific, although it has been suggested that it can take up to twenty-four months for the foot to become stable16. Treatment for Charcot arthropathy includes foot immobilization and offloading until Eichenholtz stage III occurs.

Does neuropathy run in families?

They can vary among different family members, with some family members being more severely affected than others. The hereditary neuropathies can be diagnosed by blood tests for genetic testing, nerve conduction studies, and nerve biopsies. There are no standard treatments for hereditary neuropathies.

How does one get a Charcot foot?

Who gets Charcot foot? Charcot foot develops in persons who have peripheral neuropathy. This is a condition in which the nerves in the lower legs and feet have been damaged. The damage causes a loss of sensation in the feet.

What parts of the body does CMT affect?

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited, genetic condition. It occurs when there are mutations in the genes that affect the nerves in your feet, legs, hands and arms. Sometimes, these mutations damage the nerves. Other mutations damage the protective coating that surrounds the nerve (myelin sheath).

What is the No 1 medical condition that causes neuropathy?

There are many causes of neuropathy. Diabetes is the number one cause in the United States. Other common causes include trauma, chemotherapy, alcoholism and autoimmune diseases.