If you have diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, also known as nerve damage, you’re more at risk of developing Charcot foot.
Charcot foot is a serious foot problem. But having treatment as early as possible can reduce your risk of further complications like developing a foot ulcer or needing an amputation.
It helps to know the signs and symptoms of Charcot foot and the things you can do to help prevent it from developing.
Coping with Charcot foot can be hard, but we are here to help.
What is Charcot foot?
Charcot foot is a condition where fractures don’t heal, joints dislocate and the foot can collapse.
The condition can develop in some people with diabetes from peripheral neuropathy. This is where high blood sugar levels have made it harder for the nerves to carry messages between the brain and the foot (or other parts of the body) which affects the feeling.
And the nerves can become damaged or over time, disappear. You may start to lose the feeling or sensation from your foot. You may not then notice or feel if there’s any damage to your foot, such as injuries or broken bones, so you won’t know you need to see a doctor.
You may continue walking on your affected foot without noticing any changes or feeling pain. As you put pressure on your foot, the bone and joints can start to change shape. This can change the shape of your whole foot and put other joints at risk.
Once you have a misshapen foot, you are also at a greater risk of developing a foot ulcer. In some cases of Charcot foot, you may need to have an amputation.
Knowing about Charcot foot and the symptoms to look out for, means you can get treatment earlier to prevent further damage to your foot. And help avoid amputations.
What are the symptoms of Charcot foot?
The signs and symptoms of Charcot foot may include:
- swelling of the foot or ankle
- warmth. The affected foot or ankle feels warmer than the other
- change in foot or ankle colour
- change in foot shape.
If you notice any of these symptoms in either of your feet or ankles, take the weight off that foot straightaway. Talk to your doctor, footcare team or local health service for more information and advice.
Taking the weight off the foot is important because any pressure on your foot can make the problem worse. Lie down or sit with your foot raised on a stool or chair, with a cushion under your ankle so that no part of your foot is touching anything.
"If you notice your foot has suddenly become red, hot and swollen, maybe with or without pain, please immediately take the weight of your foot and seek help from your doctor or local footcare team."
- Daina Walton, Podiatrist at King's College Hospital
What screening is there for Charcot foot?
Everyone with diabetes should have an annual foot check. This will include checking for signs of Charcot foot.
Your foot check is part of your annual review, which means you should have it as part of your diabetes care and it's free on the NHS.
How to reduce your risk of Charcot foot
You are at increased risk of developing Charcot foot if you have lived with diabetes for a long time, or if you have nerve damage in your feet. The good news is there are things you can do to reduce this risk.
- Checking your feet every day can help you spot the symptoms or any unusual changes to your foot. Ask for support from your foot specialist if you have neuropathy.
- Stopping smoking and keeping your blood sugar levels, blood fats and blood pressure within your target range can also help prevent Charcot foot.
If you'd like more information on lowering your risk of diabetes complications, our free Learning Zone has videos and advice. You'll need to create a log in if you don't have one already.
In most cases Charcot foot doesn’t lead to surgery or an amputation. Regularly checking your feet for the symptoms and getting treatment as soon as possible can help to prevent these complications from developing.
Treatment for Charcot foot
If you are diagnosed with Charcot foot you will be seen by a specialist diabetes footcare team. Treatment aims to prevent a permanent change to the shape of your foot and future problems. As well as reducing the risk of needing an amputation.
Non-surgical treatment
Charcot foot can often be treated without surgery. This treatment involves keeping the foot as still as possible. This means you avoid putting any weight on your affected foot. To help you with this, your foot will be put in plaster cast, usually from below the knee. Or you will be given a protective boot. Your footcare team may also give you a wheelchair or crutches, as you may need them to move around.
This treatment can take several months, or longer depending on your diagnosis. Your footcare team may also give you custom shoes after your treatment. This will help to keep your foot protected and help prevent a foot ulcer from developing.
We know that this type of treatment may mean you have to completely change your way of life. But keeping your foot still is very important, as it will give the bone time to heal and help prevent the problems from getting worse.
Surgery
Sometimes the treatment for Charcot foot may mean you need to have surgery. Your footcare team will discuss this with you.
The type of surgery you’ll need depends on your diagnosis. You may need to have more than one operation. Your foot care team will be able to talk you through this, along with the risks and benefits involved in the surgery.
Your diabetes team will also support you through this. And we’re here for you too.
If you are having treatment
Please do not try and remove your cast yourself at home. It is important to go to all your appointments. Without the right treatment, Charcot foot can get worse and lead to further problems.
If you have any worries before your appointment, or if you need to change them, contact your healthcare team for help.
Coping with Charcot foot
We are here for you if you need support with dealing with Charcot foot and its impact.
Call our helpline
Whether you’ve got a specific question about your treatment, or you just want to have a chat with someone who knows about diabetes and Charcot foot, give our helpline a call. You’ll be able to speak in confidence to one of our trained advisors who can take the time to talk you through your concerns or how you’re feeling.
Our forum
There are other people with diabetes who have had Charcot foot, and reaching out to them can help. You can read their experiences of Charcot foot in our online forum or sign up to take part in the conversations yourself. Joining this kind of community can really help you feel supported throughout the process.
