Charcot Foot Support

Charcot Foot

The foot bone is connected to the ankle bone…

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Most of us learned the song, Dry Bones, in childhood to learn the bones of the body. The foot bone’s connected to the ankle bone, ankle bone’s connected to the leg bone… In case you weren’t privy to the song as a child or you forgot the lyrics we’ve attached a video for you refresh!

The song is catchy but it isn’t quite accurate. The foot does not consist of just one bone. The foot actually includes 26 bones! There are also 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. The foot is a pretty impressive and complex structure.

Tarsal Bones of the Foot

The 26 bones of the human foot are grouped into three categories. The first group of bones are the Tarsal bones. The seven bones which comprise the Tarsal bones make up the rear section of the foot.

Tarsal bones include the talus or ankle bone, the calcaneus or heel bone, and the tarsals. The tarsals are the five bones which form the arch of the midfoot. The five tarsals are known as the medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiforms, the cuboid and the navicular.

Metatarsal Bones of the Foot

A group of five tubular bones tubular bones in the middle of the foot are called the metatarsals. They are connector bones, connecting the tarsal bones and the phalanges. The metatarsals are in a row and are numbered from one to five. Metatarsal one is is closest to the arch and metatarsal five is on the outer edge of the foot.

Phalanges of the Foot

The phalanges are the toe bones. There are three phalanges in the second to fifth toes. The big toe, also known as the hallux only has two phalanges. Those two phalanges are known as proximal and distal phalanges.

The phalanges in toes two through five are named from the back of the foot to the front of the foot. They are called proximal, middle and distal phalanges.

Bone Language

Prior to having a Charcot Foot diagnosis you may have never considered the bones of the foot. As you move forward with Charcot Foot treatment options you will find it is important to know the names of the foot bones and where they are located.

“Dislocation of metatarsals three, four and five.”

“Fractured tarsals with collapse of the arch.”

It is likely you will hear your physician or radiologist use terminology, like that above, in regards to your Charcot Foot. While it can still be overwhelming, it is helpful to learn the bones of the feet so you can better understand how Charcot Foot is impacting you.

How to keep your mind occupied while home bound

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Most people with Charcot Foot have experienced at least one period of time when they have been non weight-bearing. Unfortunately, the most common Charcot Foot treatment includes being non weight-bearing so it is likely those with the condition will have numerous times when they are non weight-bearing.

Being non weight-bearing can greatly impact your quality of life. It’s often boring, lonely and isolating. Prior to Charcot Foot, it is likely you wished for a day to sit around the house and do nothing. Now that you are stuck at home and off your feet you may be bored out of your mind. We reached out to a number of individuals with Charcot Foot to find out their tips for handling the non weight-bearing periods. Here are a few suggestions from people who have been there on what to do when bored at home.

Crossword puzzles and games

One suggestion we heard over and over from people with Charcot Foot is how they managed to keep their minds active by doing crossword puzzles and playing other mind stimulating games. Several people suggested online crossword puzzles they could complete on their phone or computer. One individual said each day they set a goal to complete a daily crossword puzzle without searching the internet for the answers. There are a wide assortment of crossword puzzle books, fill-it ins and suduko books out there to help you stay busy.

Beth tells us she found sticker mosaics to be very helpful when she was non weight-bearing. She isn’t a fan of puzzles but said the mosaics helped her to feel creative and stimulated her mind.

Catch up on your favorite shows

While we know binge watching television shows may not be the best use of our time we also know how boring it can be when stuck at home. When you are non weight-bearing it is a perfect time to catch up on your favorite shows and movies. We asked readers for suggestions on their favorite shows to watch. Maybe you can find a new favorite from one of the shows on the list.

  1. Last Man Standing
  2. Mindhunter
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Pretty Little Liars
  5. The Handmaid’s Tale
  6. Lost
  7. Parks and Rec
  8. The Office
  9. Seinfeld
  10. This is Us

Join Postcrossing

We had never heard of Postcrossing.com until Jessie told us about it. Postcrossing is a project that allows you to send postcards and receive postcards back from random people around the world. That’s real postcards, not electronic! Here’s how it works.

  1. Register for a free postcrossing account at postcrossing.com
  2. Request an address and a postcard ID
  3. Mail a postcard to that address
  4. Receive a postcard from another postcrosser
  5. Register the Postcard ID you have received
  6. Go to number 1 to receive more postcards!

For each postcard you send you will get one in return. You can receive postcards from around the world and build quite a collection. We thought this was a fun way to stay connected to the outside world and enjoy a special delivery in your mailbox each day.

“During my period of being non weight-bearing I started postcrossing,” Jessie said. “I absolutely love it! I have received postcards from 17 different countries and 38 states. It was nice to get happy mail when I was stuck at home. Now it’s fun to continue doing it and learning more about different countries.”

Learn a new skill

Now is the perfect time to learn a new skill. Have you wanted to learn to crochet, memorize the names of all the countries in the world or learn to speak Spanish. Now is the time! You can learn all kinds of things on YouTube.

“I learned how to communicate using American Sign Language when I was non weight-bearing for six months,” Beth said. “I also taught myself how to crochet. I learned both by watching videos on YouTube.”

Charlie made it a goal to learn how to make his own fishing lures when he was recovering from his below the knee amputation. He loves to fish and says it helped him stay focused on the future.

“It was a depressing time for me,” Charlie said. “By making the fishing lures it reminded me I would get back out there and fish again. My life wasn’t over. Each time I finished a lure I knew I was planning for a future.”

Make a gratitude list

Several readers tell us making a gratitude list each day or even once a week helped them. When we are non weight-bearing and stuck at home it is very easy to become depressed and feel sorry for ourselves. With Charcot Foot it often feels like we are losing so much of our lives and independence. Making a list of the things we are grateful for can remind us we still have many positive aspects of our lives.

Set yourself a goal to write down five things you are grateful for each day!

Connect with others living with Charcot Foot

You may not be able to get out of the house but you can log onto the internet. There are several online groups for people living with Charcot Foot. Almost everyone we spoke with is a member of an online group and finds it helpful.

Here are three of our favorite online groups.

Charcot Foot Support

Charcot Foot Worldwide Support

Charcot Foot Research and Support Group

“The groups have helped me learn about Charcot Foot and help me feel connected to others who really get it,” Jessie said.

Being non weight-bearing and stuck at home can be boring. But there are so many ways to keep your mind active and relieve some of the boredom. What helps you when you are non weight-bearing?

The sound of Charcot Foot

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If you have Charcot Foot you know there is a certain sound that along with it. A snap, crackle, pop sound. It’s shocking when you first hear it. If we are completely honest the sound of Charcot Foot is a little gross. It’s not normal to be able to hear your foot bones moving and shifting. The first time I heard it I felt like I may be sick. When I spoke with my doctor about it he reassured me it is common among those with Charcot Foot.

Are my bones cracking?

The sounds from Charcot Foot can leave you asking, “are my bones cracking”? The answer is, maybe. Sometimes the cracking, snapping, popping sounds you hear can be a sign of broken bone in the foot moving. The sounds can also be an indicator of a new foot fracture occurring.

The human foot is complex. There are 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. The sounds you hear when applying pressure to your Charcot Foot can be coming from joints or bones. The sounds can also be a sign of the foot entering the sub-acute stage of Charcot Foot. During the sub-acute stage the bones begin to consolidate. The sounds may be more noticeable during the stage as they are shifting and consolidating into their new placement.

Should I be worried about cracking bones

When you have Charcot Foot there is always a concern about foot fracture and injury. However, you shouldn’t assume a foot fracture has occurred solely on the cracking or popping sounds you may hear. The only way to know for sure if you have foot fracture is to contact your physician and get an x-ray.

The cracking and popping sound you hear could also be attributed to escaping gases. The bones in our joints are surrounded by synovial fluid that lubricates and prevents bones from rubbing against each other. Synovial fluid contains oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. When the joint capsule is stretched, these gases form bubbles that cause a popping sound when the bubbles are released. In order to crack the same joints again, you have to wait until the gasses return to the synovial fluid. This is why the cracking or popping sound may not occur regularly.

Movement of tendons and ligaments can also cause a cracking or popping sound. As tendon position changes and the tendon moves slightly out of place when a joint is moved a sound can occur. The movement may cause you to hear a snapping sound when the tendon returns to its original position. Also, your ligaments may tighten as you move your joints, which can make a cracking sound.

When you hear a popping or cracking sound coming from your Charcot Foot try not to panic. The sound doesn’t necessarily mean a new foot fracture has occurred. If you experience swelling, your foot is red or hot or you have significant pain contact your doctor immediately. If not, you can most likely wait until your next regularly scheduled appointment to discuss the sounds.

Someone call the foot doctor

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Foot pain, foot wounds, foot problems of any sort can be incredibly painful. Strangely, when foot problems begin they often seem like a small nuisance and they are easy to ignore. Over time the foot problems escalate and before you know it your feet can be in serious trouble. So when should you call the foot doctor?

Find a podiatrist

If you are diabetic you should be seeing a podiatrist at least once a year to have your feet checked. One of the best ways to prevent foot problems is practicing regular foot care, including seeing a podiatrist. If you don’t have a podiatrist near you, speak with your regular physician for a referral.

Once you have an established relationship with a podiatrist keep their number on speed dial. If you develop any foot wounds, notice changes in your toenails or feet, experience foot pain or notice a lack of feeling in your feet, call your foot doctor immediately.

Don’t delay, call the foot doctor today

If you have Charcot Foot it is important to never delay in treating foot problems. Letting what seems like a small problem go can lead to complications. Those complications can lead to deformity and even amputation. Jennifer, who shared her Charcot Foot experience with us in a previous post, says a close call with a foot wound reinforced to her the importance of calling her podiatrist at the first sign of problems.

Jennifer was wearing AFO braces at the time and noticed a bump on her foot. It was red and hard but had a darker center. She was planning to leave the state on a trip but was concerned by the wound. She thought about delaying and calling her foot doctor when she returned from the trip but reconsidered.

“I canceled the trip and went in,” Jennifer said. “My podiatrist opened it up and drained it. It was a blister with a callus over it. We treated it with antibiotics and kept it clean and it healed right up. I asked him if I could have waited to come in after the trip. He said if I would have it would have developed into a full blown ulcer.”

It is always better to call the doctor at the first sign of foot problems. Worst case scenario is a trip to the doctor for something minor. Most likely, a visit to the doctor will prevent a more serious complication down the road.

Reasons to call the foot doctor

There are many reasons you should contact your foot doctor, here are some common reasons you should place a call to your doctor.

  • Loss of sensation in the feet
  • Pain or numbness of any kind
  • Wounds on the feet
  • Blisters
  • Calluses
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Difficulty walking
  • Bony protrusions
  • New fractures
  • Loss of toenails

Remember, if you experience any changes or concerns with your feet you should contact your doctor. Even changes that are not included on the above list.

Regular foot care

Regular foot care will help prevent additional foot problems. When you have Charcot Foot it is important to check your feet each day. You should look for any new wounds and increased swelling or redness. It is a good idea to apply lotion each day to prevent dry skin and keep the skin moisturized. Atrac-Tain Superior Moisturizing Cream is our favorite. It keeps the skin hydrated and prevents wounds from developing as a result of dry skin.

In an effort to protect the feet you should never walk barefoot or without shoes. Make it a point to keep your feet protected to avoid further injury. Due to neuropathy you may not feel wounds developing so it is important to protect your feet and check them daily for injury.

Always remember to protect your feet, check them for wounds and call the foot doctor at the first sign of problems!

Living with Charcot Foot: Jennifer’s Experience

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Everyone with Charcot Foot has a different experience but we can all learn something from one another. Today, Jennifer is sharing her experience of living with Charcot Foot. She was diagnosed with Charcot Foot on her 43rd birthday.

Charcot Foot Diagnosis

Jennifer had been experiencing neuropathy pain and numbness in her feet and legs for several years. She had also begun to have swelling in her feet. She and her doctor originally thought the swelling was a side effect of medication she was taking. She discontinued the medication but the swelling persisted. Just a week before her first fracture she hiked in the Catskills.

“I went hiking with this in the Catskills and didn’t know,” Jennifer said. “I knew I had an appointment with my endocrinologist in a week and thought I would bring it up to him.”

After returning from her trip she planned to see her doctor to discuss the continued swelling. Before she made it to the doctor for her appointment she fell on her stairs while taking her dogs out for a walk. X-rays showed she had a fractured left heel. At her three week follow up appointment the bone hadn’t begun to heel and she first heard the mention of Charcot Foot.

“I had the compression heal fracture and go back for the three week follow up and there is no healing and I thought that isn’t good,” Jennifer said. “And my podiatrist said I hope this isn’t Charcot.”

Not long after the first break she began to have problems with her right foot. Going non-weightbearing on her left foot put additional pressure on her right foot. It too began to fracture.

“For five weeks I went to work on crutches, drove my car, did everything,” Jennifer said. “Then on my birthday I went to work and to my doctor’s appointment and my right foot was very swollen and there was a bump in my arch. It was so swollen you couldn’t even tell it was the bone. I go for an x-ray and later that night he called me and told me to take the air cast off my left leg, put it on my right and get to an orthopedist. I didn’t even need him to say it, I knew from the way his voice sounded it was Charcot Foot.”

With both feet in the acute stage Jennifer had to go completely non-weightbearing for several months. She was eventually fitted for AFO braces on both legs which she wore for more than six months. She has now been able to transition back into tennis shoes with inserts.

Advocating for your medical care

Jennifer is a pro at advocating for her medical care, a skill she honed before her Charcot Foot diagnosis but one which has proven to be especially beneficial in dealing with Charcot. When originally diagnosed with Charcot Foot, Jennifer began meeting with a number of doctors, interviewing three before finding one she was comfortable with.

For her it was important to find a physician who was trained and competent in treating Charcot Foot. She wanted a doctor with a good bedside manner and one who wasn’t eager to do surgery. Once she found the right foot doctor she was able to develop a Charcot Foot treatment plan which worked for her.

Jennifer struggle with other health issues in conjunction with Charcot Foot. One way she continues to advocate for her medical care is by maintaining detailed records. Because she sees a number of physicians for different medical conditions she keeps copies of the records to quickly and easily share when she is at her various appointments. In regards to her Charcot Foot she always gets copies of her X-rays on a disc.

Some of her others tips for being a good advocate for yourself include:

  • Be the expert and learn everything you can about Charcot Foot or the condition you are being treated for.
  • Don’t rely on doctor’s to have all of the information. Remember you should know your body and condition best.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for a second, or third or fourth opinion.
  • Ask questions, any and all questions.

Charcot Foot Treatment Options

One of the first doctors Jennifer met with recommended surgery during her first appointment. His quick desire to perform surgery left Jennifer concerned. She wanted to explore different Charcot Foot treatment options.

“He came in and I started asking him how much experience he had with Charcot and he didn’t really answer me,” Jennifer said. “He was very full of himself. I then asked him what are my options. He is now scheduling me for mid-foot fusion the next week. I was like, wait, you want to fuse my foot. First of all, I had all this swelling, fresh fractures, and my hemoglobin A1C was 10.6. He was going to cut into my diabetic foot with a 10.6.”

For her and many others with Charcot Foot surgery is not the right answer. There are many risks associated with surgery including additional injury, infection and amputation. At the end of the day surgery will not cure Charcot Foot so it was important to her to explore all the other options.

“These surgeries, fusions, external fixators, are only temporary fixes,” Jennifer says. “When you go into a surgery for the first time you need to know it is a very likely possibility it won’t work and all you are doing is now you are sitting longer and having to heal longer to only have more surgery. I feel like people think surgery is the answer to this and it’s not. I feel like people really need to understand surgery isn’t going to fix this. You aren’t going back to how you were before this happens. You still have Charcot.”

Jennifer did find a physician who was supportive of her and had a good understanding of Charcot Foot. Her physician recommended the following Charcot Foot treatment options.

  • Go non-weightbearing during the acute stage of her Charcot Foot
  • Wear AFO braces as prescribed
  • Wear custom inserts and appropriate shoes

Jennifer has been diligent with following her doctors orders. She says when she should be non-weightbearing, though it is difficult, she is completely compliant.

“When I’m non- weightbearing it’s non-negotiable,” Jennifer says. “If the doctor says to be non-weightbearing, I’m non-weightbearing.”

Moving forward

Currently, Jennifer’s feet are stable. She wore AFO braces for over six months and has now transitioned to tennis shoes with custom inserts. She isn’t naive and knows that it is likely she will have additional problems in the future. However, she tries to have fun and keep a sense of humor about the situation.

She has been able to go on vacation recently. Making visits to the pool and the beach have become a reality again. On St. Patrick’s Day she ventured out with friends for a pub crawl. She was nervous, as it was her first outing with braces, but says her friends checked in on her throughout the night to make sure she was doing okay.

“I am really lucky to have such a great support system,” Jennifer says.

Jennifer has mourned the loss of her beloved shoes. She now focuses her attention on enjoying fun socks and slippers. She recommends Happy Feet toe separator socks. They come in several colors and are fun but she says they also help tremendously with toe cramping.


With her feet currently stable Jennifer is enjoying the moment and taking the time to focus on some other health concerns. We appreciate her willingness to share her experiences with us. Jessie, Charlie and ""” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Beth also have Charcot Foot experiences to share. If you would like to discuss your experiences with Charcot Foot contact us.

Recognizing Charcot Foot symptoms

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All too often, Charcot Foot is misdiagnosed or a diagnosis is delayed. Delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis can lead to an increased risk of deformity and amputation. So what are the signs and symptoms of Charcot Foot?

Charcot Foot symptoms include swelling of the foot and ankle. Some people with Charcot Foot report significant swelling, regardless of if they stay off of their feet or not. Another symptom of Charcot Foot is redness of the foot. The foot will also be warm to the touch. A Charcot Foot is often much warmer than other parts of the body.

Any of these symptoms in a person with diabetes and/or neuropathy should lead a person to consider Charcot Foot as the culprit. Though the combination of symptoms are typical of Charcot Foot it still continues to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed on a regular basis. Frequently, people are diagnosed with cellulitis when in fact they are suffering from Charcot Foot.

Charcot Foot Deformity

Foot deformity is another sign of Charcot Foot. As Charcot Foot progresses and the foot fractures more it leads to a deformed foot. The Charcot Foot can take on a “rocker-bottom” appearance when the arch of the foot collapses. As the foot heals and the bones consolidate the foot can also take on a deformed shape as a result.

The Charcot Foot deformity will lead to problems with balance. It’s incredibly difficult to balance and walk with a “rocker bottom”. The foot deformity will also make it difficult to find shoes which fit.

Escalating foot problems

Foot problems are likely to escalate for those with Charcot Foot. Those with Charcot Foot are at an increased risk for developing ulcers and sores on their feet. These wounds can lead to infection which can in turn lead to amputation. Any sign of ulcers, sores or wounds should be taken very seriously and treated quickly.

It is not uncommon for individuals with Charcot Foot to have toenails fall off or become brittle and break easily. Charcot Foot sufferers also report having very dry skin and varying levels foot pain.

If you experience any of the symptoms of Charcot Foot or signs of an escalation of your Charcot Foot it is important to visit a doctor immediately.