All Diabetics Should Know the Symptoms of Charcot Foot Disease, a Complication of Diabetes

People with diabetes are at risk of getting a rare foot complication called Charcot foot. While rare, the number of people developing Charcot foot is increasing according to a recent press release. All diabetics should be aware of the symptoms so that they can seek immediate treatment for this rare foot disease.

Millions of Americans have diabetes. Few of them are aware of a potential complication called Charcot foot. While current research estimates that approximately one percent of diabetics contract Charcot foot, the number of incidences continues to rise. As the number of people with diabetes increases, and the American population ages, physicians expect this once rare disease to become more common.

Many diabetics suffer with complications of diabetes that affect their feet. Charcot disease affects diabetics, usually without them even realizing they have this disease. It happens when the bones in the foot suddenly become soft. It is usually caused by nerve damage to the foot, or severe neuropathy.

Charcot foot can cause a host of problems. A few of the complications of Charcot foot include easily getting foot fractures, having ulcers, collapse of their foot arches, developing a deformed foot, needing to have the foot amputated, or even death. Some people are unable to walk on their foot when suffering with complication from diabetes.

While you cannot reverse the damage caused by Charcot foot, the destruction that it causes can be stopped with proper medical treatment.

Every diabetic should be aware of the symptoms and seek immediate medical care if they suspect they may have Charcot foot disease. It is particularly important since most people who have diabetes do loose the ability to sense changes in their foot.

Symptoms of Charcot foot can appear overnight. Some of the symptoms include:
One foot feels warmer than the other and is warm to the touch
Redness in the foot
Pain or soreness in the foot
Swelling of the foot

If you have any of these symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms could indicate Charcot foot, or other medical problems that necessitate immediate medical care as well.

"More people with diabetes, their families and their care providers need to know about Charcot foot. When I diagnose a patient with this complication, I telephone their primary care doctor and educate them about it as well," said J. T. Marcoux. DPM, FACFAS. Marcoux is one of the few Massachusetts foot and ankle surgeons who perform reconstructive surgery for Charcot foot.

Sources:
http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/myPRNJ.jsp?profileid=1151896&resourceid=3586428
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropathy
http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/charcot-foot.htm