You might be surprised to learn how many people are living with Charcot foot. There are no accurate estimates concerning the exact number of people that suffer from the condition, because it is not a "disease". It is usually a complication of diabetic neuropathy.
There are some 24 million diabetics in the US alone. Of that 24 million, 60-70% will develop neuropathies or nerve damage that can lead to Charcot foot. The American Diabetes Association estimates that only about a half a percent of those people will develop the condition, but that is still equivalent to about 840,000 people.
In most cases, the condition develops after the age of 50 or after the person has had diabetes for a number of years. It can occur in both type I and type II diabetes, but since type II develops later on in life, it is most common in type I, which is sometimes referred to as juvenile diabetes.
In order to prevent further damage, it is important to pay close attention to the condition of the feet. People who are living with Charcot foot have reduced sensation in their feet, due to nerve damage. Minor injuries go unnoticed, unless care is taken to check for them. A minor injury can quickly develop into an ulcer or a serious joint fracture. Any redness or swelling should be reported to your doctor.
When an injury occurs, rest and elevation of the feet are very important. When there is swelling, there is increased blood flow to the feet, which washes away minerals and leads to bone loss. Other than skin ulceration, the major risk of the condition is cumulative bone loss that may result in permanent disability.
Day to day living with Charcot Foot requires the use of deep supportive shoes with soft insoles and rubber out-soles to absorb shock. Supportive socks, arch supports and ankle supports are beneficial as well. Walking around barefoot is not a good idea. Some type of protective and supportive footwear should be worn at all times to help reduce the risk of injury.
In the early stages, if no injury is present, regular physical activity is advised, both to retain flexibility and as an aid in maintaining an appropriate weight. Being overweight puts additional pressure on the joints and increases the risk of disability.
As time goes by, living with Charcot foot may require the use of custom molded shoes with special shock absorbers to allow the patient to walk. Walkers, wheelchairs or crutches are sometimes needed, depending on the severity of the condition.
Some success has been seen with surgical correction to lengthen the Achilles tendon and remove any loose bone from the ankle and graft in additional bone where needed. Surgery is generally considered a last resort, as results vary and recovery times are lengthy. On average, it takes 26 weeks for a patent to be able to wear regular shoes, again.
There are online support groups for people living with Charcot foot. It helps to know that you're not alone.
Jerome Kaplan has 30 plus years of experience in the foot health products business. He recommends everyone take foot care seriously, because minor problems today can turn into disasters when ignored. This is especially true in cases of Charcot Foot.
There are many over-the-counter, affordable solutions that can rectify most common foot conditions. Visit his site to learn more: http://www.FootCareAide.com
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