If you have underlying health problems that result in nerve damage, the podiatry team at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers offers preventive care for complications, like Charcot foot. With multiple locations in Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, and Mount Clemens, Michigan, the foot and ankle specialists provide custom care plans to treat existing Charcot foot symptoms and prevent permanent deformities. To find out more about services available for Charcot foot, schedule a consultation at the Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers nearest you by phone or through the online booking system.

request an appointment

What is Charcot foot?

Charcot foot is a condition where the bones in your foot weaken due to underlying neuropathy, or nerve damage. As bones become weaker, your risk for fractures increases and ultimately the shape of your foot changes.

Nerve damage common with Charcot foot can result from direct trauma to the nerves in a fall or auto accident or due to underlying disease, like diabetes. When nerves are damaged, you can’t feel sensations, like temperature changes or pain, normally. If the bones in your foot begin to fracture, you may not realize it until the condition is advanced.

With continued activity, Charcot foot can lead to the collapse of your joint and an abnormal foot shape. Without treatment, Charcot foot causes serious deformities that result in disability and the need for amputation.

What are the symptoms of Charcot foot?

Before a noticeable deformity in the foot develops, you may notice the affected foot is warmer than the other. Other symptoms of Charcot foot include:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Soreness

To confirm Charcot foot and rule out other medical conditions, you should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers as soon as possible.

What does a Charcot foot diagnosis require?

Diagnosing Charcot foot requires a physical exam of your foot and ankle and imaging tests, like X-rays, to evaluate the severity of fractures or a joint collapse.

Early diagnosis and treatment of Charcot foot is important to prevent additional complications, including debilitating foot deformities.

What does a Charcot foot treatment plan entail?

The podiatry team at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers creates a custom treatment plan to address the severity of your Charcot foot and related symptoms.

In early stages of Charcot foot, you may need to keep your ankle immobilized to protect weak bones and allow them time to heal naturally. You may need to wear a cast or brace and use crutches or a wheelchair to keep pressure off your affected foot.

In some cases, custom shoes or inserts are helpful for easing pain and providing your foot with solid support. You may need to limit your activities as you heal to prevent a worsening of your condition.

If you already have a noticeable deformity in your foot, you may be a candidate for surgery to correct fractures or the collapsed joint. Surgery may also be necessary to prevent the future need for amputation of your foot.

In addition to treating symptoms of Charcot foot, the podiatric team at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers works closely with you on a preventive care plan to reduce your risk for Charcot foot complications, especially if you have diabetes or existing nerve damage.

Find out more about treatments available for Charcot foot by calling the Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers nearest you or by requesting an appointment online now.