Charcot's joint: an overlooked diagnosis. 2002

Mrugeshkumar K Shah, and Stephanie Y Hugghins
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Charcot's joint, also known as neuropathic osteoarthropathy, is a common complication of diabetes that often is unrecognized and misdiagnosed. It may be present in up to 35% of patients with diabetic neuropathy. This disorder causes progressive destruction of weight bearing joints leading to dislocations, fractures, and deformities. We report a case of Charcot's joint in a 55-year-old man with type two diabetes. He presented with unilateral foot and ankle swelling, foot pain, warmth, and erythema. A magnetic resonance image of his foot revealed changes consistent with a Charcot's joint. Treatment consisted of joint immobilization in a total contact cast and then an ankle foot orthosis with custom footware. Charcot's joint should be considered in patients with a unilateral, warm, erythematous, swollen foot without other systemic symptoms. Early recognition of a Charcot's joint is important in ultimate outcome. Immobilization of the joint, patient education, and proper footcare and footware are essential in preventing further complications including ulceration and amputation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008145 Louisiana State bounded by Arkansas on the north, by Mississippi on the east, the Gulf of Mexico on the south and Texas on the west.
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001177 Arthropathy, Neurogenic Chronic progressive degeneration of the stress-bearing portion of a joint, with bizarre hypertrophic changes at the periphery. It is probably a complication of a variety of neurologic disorders, particularly TABES DORSALIS, involving loss of sensation, which leads to relaxation of supporting structures and chronic instability of the joint. (Dorland, 27th ed) Charcot's Joint,Arthropathies, Neurogenic,Charcot Joint,Charcots Joint,Joint, Charcot's,Neurogenic Arthropathies,Neurogenic Arthropathy

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