Orthopedic
Treatments
Charcot Arthropathy
Charcot arthropathy is a condition that develops in a patient with peripheral neuropathy. The most common cause of this neuropathy is diabetes. Charcot causes patients to lose their protective sensation to their foot and may cause them to develop fractures, dislocations, and deformity with minimal trauma. Often charcot arthropathy is initially misdiagnosed as a fracture or an infection and needs to be recognized to be adequately treated. Initial treatment often involves special bracing or casting. When severe deformity or wounds develop, surgery may be required.