Charcot Foot Support

Foot problems

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!

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!

The Five Best Knee Scooters for those with Charcot Foot

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When you have Charcot Foot or other foot problems you are likely to experience a period of time when you are non-weight bearing, meaning you can’t put any weight on your foot. This used to mean you were destined to use crutches or a wheelchair during non-weight bearing periods. Not anymore! Now there are a variety of knee scooters on the market to improve mobility while you stay off your feet.

So how do you choose the right knee scooter? There are so many different brands and styles on the market it is hard to know which one to pick. We have made a list of the five best knee scooters for those with Charcot Foot. We have tried and tested an assortment and these get our approval. While researching knee scooters we looked at durability, difficulty level for folding the scooter, price, tires and brakes. These are the five best knee scooters we have found!

KneeRover Steerable Knee Scooter

The KneeRover Steerable Knee Scooter is one of the best knee scooters on the market. It is affordable, easy to put together, sturdy and comes with a basket attachment. This scooter works well going up and down ramps and brakes gently. It is available for purchase in a variety of colors which is a nice option as well. This knee scooter does fold easily and can be stored in the backseat or trunk of a vehicle.

The OasisSpace All Terrain Knee Scooter

The OasisSpace All Terrain Knee Scooter is another favorite for us. The All Terrain Knee Scooter has air filled tires and is a bit sturdier than other scooters on the market. This scooter is great to use in the yard as it maneuvers well on rougher terrain. If you are sick of sticking to sidewalks, this is the scooter for you. If you have young children or grandchildren and are living with Charcot Foot it can be hard to keep up with them. This scooter allows you to easily maneuver around the yard so you can play outside with them. It also comes with a basket attachment, folding handle feature and adjustable seat.

 
 
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KneeRover GO Knee Walker

The KneeRover GO is the smallest, most compact knee walker we could find. It is lightweight and easy to fold and store. It would be the knee scooter to keep at the office, use for quick trips to the mall or airport, or putter around the house. We love the lightweight feel and agree it is easy to get in and out of the car and folds up small enough it can be stored easily.

Draw backs are that it does not come with a basket attachment. A basket can easily be added but will incur an additional expense. The other downside is this scooter doesn’t do well on rougher terrain. However, as long as you stay on smooth services this is a great knee walker!

ELENKER Steerable Knee Walker

The ELENKER Steerable Knee Walker is available at a great price. It’s one of the most affordable knee scooters we could find. In addition to being priced well it is surprisingly comfortable. The adjustable seat has a slight curve to pad the knee which prevented knee pain during extended use. It’s a nice feature we have found on only a few other models. It also comes with a basket attachment and folds.

KneeRover PRO

The Knee Rover PRO is the top of the line knee scooter. You will shell out some serious money buying this knee scooter, at least $300. But there is a reason why, it’s the best of the best. It is an indoor outdoor aluminum scooter with shock absorbers. It can take you easily from smooth sailing on a sidewalk to navigating gravel. The amazing thing is your body won’t tell the difference. It’s sturdy and smooth riding, no matter the terrain. It comes with the attachable basket and folds. The seat is adjustable as well.

Which knee scooter are you using? How has it helped you navigate life with Charcot Foot and foot problems? We want to hear from you. Leave us a message in the comments and share your favorite scooter with us.

Exercising with Charcot Foot

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Exercise + Charcot Foot? I know what you are thinking. This lady is crazy if she thinks I can exercise right now. I’m non-weight bearing, in a boot and can hardly make it to the bathroom. How dare she tell me to get moving. I know you are thinking it because the first time someone told me to exercise while non weight bearing I wanted to punch them. But the truth is they were right. I needed to move my body if I was ever going to feel better. 

Exercise will look different for you since your Charcot Foot diagnosis. You likely won’t be running a marathon and in some cases you won’t even take a lap around the block. Though it won’t be the same type of exercise you may have done before diagnosis, exercise is still possible and needed. 

Exercising while non-weight bearing

During periods when you are non-weight bearing you can exercise from a seated position as long as your physician approves. You can raise your heart rate with cardio exercise without ever standing up. You can also use resistance bands and hand weights to complete strength training exercises. If you have never completed a seated workout and need some ideas for exercises to try we have included links below to some of our favorite workouts we have found on YouTube. Some of the workouts include leg exercises. If the exercise isn’t painful and doesn’t place any weight on the foot we complete it. If it is painful we skip that particular move and go on to the next. Always consult with your doctor before starting an exercise routine.

Weight-bearing exercise

After you have been released by your doctor to bear weight again your exercise options do increase. However, you may encounter some barriers to exercise, even simple walking. If you now have a rocker bottom or are wearing braces, your balance can be impacted. It may be difficult for you to even walk short periods or stand from a chair without feeling like you are going to fall over. It’s important to find a type of exercise you can do safely.

Some individuals with Charcot Foot are able to ride a bicycle and even walk when they are not in the acute stage. If you are able and your doctor agrees, take a walk or a nice bike ride. If you aren’t able to walk or ride a bike, swimming could be a great option for you. Swimming is a wonderful workout and it is also gentle on your body. If you can’t swim, you can complete exercises in the water and even walk. Sign up for a water aerobics class or just go swim laps at your local pool. Here is a post about some of our favorite pool workouts for Charcot Foot.

Exercise equipment for home workouts

Exercise equipment for home workouts doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Here are some of our favorite pieces of equipment which can be ordered online and delivered to your door.

We love the Letsfit resistance loop bands. These bands come in a pack of five and are so easy to use. You can keep them beside your chair and grab them easily throughout the day to do a few exercises.

We are also big fans of the FitSimplify Resistance Loop Bands. This is a great set for when you are weight bearing. It comes with five bands, a carrying bag, door anchor and leg straps. Also included is a workout guide. You will be amazed at how good of a workout you can get using this set!

Hand weights are a must have for us. Our favorite set is Balance from GoFit All-Purpose Dumbbells. It is a 32-pound set with a stand to hold all the weights neatly. It can be tucked in a corner easily. We like the coating on these weights as it provides a good grip without any sliding.

Exercise is so important when you have Charcot Foot. It helps keep your blood sugar levels stable, improves your balance and gives you an emotional boost. As you try different exercises don’t get discouraged if something doesn’t work for you. Remember, you can always try a new form of exercise. You will eventually find an option which works for you.