| You might be surprised to learn how many people | | | | away minerals and leads to bone loss. Other than skin |
| are living with Charcot foot. There are no accurate | | | | ulceration, the major risk of the condition is |
| estimates concerning the exact number of people | | | | cumulative bone loss that may result in permanent |
| that suffer from the condition, because it is not a | | | | disability. |
| "disease". It is usually a complication of diabetic | | | | Day to day living with Charcot Foot requires the use |
| neuropathy. | | | | of deep supportive shoes with soft insoles and |
| There are some 24 million diabetics in the US alone. | | | | rubber out-soles to absorb shock. Supportive socks, |
| Of that 24 million, 60-70% will develop neuropathies | | | | arch supports and ankle supports are beneficial as |
| or nerve damage that can lead to Charcot foot. The | | | | well. Walking around barefoot is not a good idea. |
| American Diabetes Association estimates that only | | | | Some type of protective and supportive footwear |
| about a half a percent of those people will develop | | | | should be worn at all times to help reduce the risk of |
| the condition, but that is still equivalent to about | | | | injury. |
| 840,000 people. | | | | In the early stages, if no injury is present, regular |
| In most cases, the condition develops after the age | | | | physical activity is advised, both to retain flexibility |
| of 50 or after the person has had diabetes for a | | | | and as an aid in maintaining an appropriate weight. |
| number of years. It can occur in both type I and | | | | Being overweight puts additional pressure on the |
| type II diabetes, but since type II develops later on | | | | joints and increases the risk of disability. |
| in life, it is most common in type I, which is | | | | As time goes by, living with Charcot foot may |
| sometimes referred to as juvenile diabetes. | | | | require the use of custom molded shoes with special |
| In order to prevent further damage, it is important | | | | shock absorbers to allow the patient to walk. |
| to pay close attention to the condition of the feet. | | | | Walkers, wheelchairs or crutches are sometimes |
| People who are living with Charcot foot have | | | | needed, depending on the severity of the condition. |
| reduced sensation in their feet, due to nerve | | | | Some success has been seen with surgical correction |
| damage. Minor injuries go unnoticed, unless care is | | | | to lengthen the Achilles tendon and remove any |
| taken to check for them. A minor injury can quickly | | | | loose bone from the ankle and graft in additional |
| develop into an ulcer or a serious joint fracture. Any | | | | bone where needed. Surgery is generally considered |
| redness or swelling should be reported to your | | | | a last resort, as results vary and recovery times are |
| doctor. | | | | lengthy. On average, it takes 26 weeks for a patent |
| When an injury occurs, rest and elevation of the feet | | | | to be able to wear regular shoes, again. |
| are very important. When there is swelling, there is | | | | There are online support groups for people living with |
| increased blood flow to the feet, which washes | | | | Charcot foot. It helps to know that you're not alone. |