Charcot joint - foot

Case contributed by Mostafa Mohamed Ibrahim
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Diabetic patient with a swollen deformed foot, gait disturbance and peripheral neuropathy.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Bony erosions, rarefaction, and resorption are seen involving the tarsal, metatarsals, calcaneus, talus, and the distal portion of the fibula and tibia with disruption of the tibiofibular,  tibiotalar, inter-tarsal, and tarsometatarsal articulations.

Abnormal orientation of the metatarsophalangeal articulations of the 2nd and 3rd toe (displaced).

Tiny calcaneal spur.

Increased soft tissue thickness around the foot and ankle.

Case Discussion

Findings are those of neuropathic diabetic foot affection with Charcot changes.

  • Charcot foot mainly involves the midfoot, changes are subarticular
  • the cause is unperceived trauma to an insensate foot
  • the sensory neuropathy keeps the patient unaware of the osseous destruction

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