Charcot Foot Support

diabetic foot problems

What is diabetic arthropathy?

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What in the world is diabetic arthropathy and why does it get mentioned in connection with Charcot Foot? And what is the difference between Charcot arthropathy and diabetic arthropathy? We receive quite a few questions similar to these from those newly diagnosed with Charcot Foot. There are so many different terms and it can make a confusing situation more confusing than necessary.

The simple answer is Charcot Arthropathy, Diabetic Arthropathy and Charcot Foot are basically the same thing. Often times the terms are used in place of one another. It’s very possible you have been told you have Charcot Arthropathy from one doctor and Charcot Foot from another. Don’t worry, you don’t have multiple conditions. They are just using different terms for the same condition. We will break it all down for you though!

Arthropathy

Arthropathy is defined as a disease of a joint. Arthritis is a form of arthropathy that involves inflammation of one or more joints, while the term arthropathy may be used regardless of whether there is inflammation or not Many people are diagnosed with arthropathy. It is incredibly common with more than three million Americans diagnosed with it.

Diabetic Arthropathy

Diabetic arthropathy is a disease of the joint caused by diabetes. Some people also call this Charcot Joint. A joint is a place where two bones come together, like the ankle and foot. Once a joint wears down the protection it provides is gone and can cause pain.

Charcot Arthropathy

Charcot Arthropathy is  also known as Charcot Foot, is a syndrome in patients who have neuropathy or loss of sensation. It includes fractures and dislocations of bones and joints that occur with minimal or no known trauma.​ Charcot Arthropathy is exactly the same as Charcot Foot.

Foot Care 101

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You may think you know how to take care of your feet but chances are you could improve your total foot care routine. Diabetic feet are incredibly fragile and once you have Charcot Foot it becomes even more important to practice total foot care to keep your feet! Let’s review some foot care 101 and make sure you are on track for keeping those diabetic feet healthy!

Total Foot Care

Foot problems are no laughing matter. Keeping diabetic feet or feet impacted by Charcot Foot healthy has to be a top priority. That means practicing total foot care. By that we mean carrying for your entire foot all of the time. Total foot care involves protecting your feet throughout the day and caring for them each night.

Part of total foot care is developing regular relationship with your podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon. Maintaining a regular appointment schedule will help your physician track your progress and quickly recognize and treat any new issues. Some physicians actually offer foot clinics, where they only perform foot checks during the hours of the clinic. Attending a foot clinic can save you time and encourages regular foot exams. In our experience foot clinics have proved to be helpful.

Protecting your feet

One of the best things you can do to prevent future foot problems is to protect your feet. Lindsay tells us she lets her feet touch the ground without some type of shoe. She even showers in heavy duty Crocs to protect her feet. She is a great example for all of us on properly protecting feet.

While the first goal is to always avoid walking barefoot it is also important to make sure you are wearing high quality shoes. Avoid sandals, flip flops, high heels, cheap tennis shoes, ballet flats, etc. Talk with your doctor to determine if diabetic shoes or custom orthotic inserts may be right for you. Always follow your physician’s instructions regarding proper shoes.

Many of us with Charcot Foot wear CROW boots or AFO braces. These are both great options to protect your feet and prevent additional injury.

Daily Foot Care

When you have Charcot Foot your feet need attention every single day, no excuses! Each day you should wash and dry your feet and inspect them. As you look over your feet you should be checking for any new foot wounds, blisters and breaks in the skin. It’s also a good idea to check for dry patches of skin and any red marks which may be caused by orthotics not fitting properly.

Each day you should apply a high quality lotion to your feet to treat and prevent dry skin. Jessie tells us she tried dozens of lotions before her wound care doctor told her about Atrac-Tain Superior Moisturizing Cream. She now swears by it and buys it in bulk.

“I tried so many lotions and still had horribly dry skin on my feet,” Jessie said. “Since I started using Atrac-Tain almost a year ago I haven’t had dry skin other than when I was in a cast for a significant period of time and couldn’t use it. It helps exfoliate and moisturize. I’ll never use anything else!”

If you notice a foot wound or sore on your foot you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. What may seem like a small issue can turn into a serious problem very quickly. It never hurts to have a doctor take a look and say, “no big deal”. But delaying treatment could end up costing you your foot.

Other items we have found helpful in caring for our feet are these foot alignment socks. Jennifer was the first to tell us about them and now we are all fans! They gently separate the toes and help with neuropathy pain. They are also adorable. If we can’t have cute shoes we can at least have cute socks.

Beth says she has found wearing these compression socks to be helpful in reducing swelling and pain. You should talk with your physician first about compression socks and what the best option would be for you.

We know that foot care can seem like a burden from time to time. It is easy to think it is something that can be put off until tomorrow. But it isn’t. When living with Charcot Foot or trying to protect diabetic feet it is essential to etch out the time each day to take care of your feet. The investment is worth it!