Visualize spraining your foot, but without you noticing it. So you continue with whatever activities you have during the day, and even into the week. Think about the damage that it would do. The damage is almost unthinkable, and it will, more often than not, result in what is called Charcot's foot.
Charcot's foot is often identified with diabetes. It is a complication that occurs when one loses the ability to feel or sense pain. When this neuropathy or nerve damage present, the integrity of the foot is weakened and it becomes sprained, damaged and eventually fractured. Without any immediate major trauma, you can continue to go on without realizing that your foot is already being severely damaged. Charcot's foot is highly dangerous without early and proper treatment.
What Is Charcot's Foot (Signs And Symptoms)
The trigger for Charcot's foot is almost always your loss of ability to feel or sense pain. As a result of diabetic neuropathy, muscles lose strength and their ability to hold the foot together is weakened at the same rate the ligaments become slacked. This leads to dislocation and eventual deformity of the foot. The sign you have to watch out for is that your foot becomes warmer than the other. Some parts of the foot may appear to have a hint of redness and swelling. In all this, no pain will be felt and you will still be able to see that the circulation in your foot is still very good. This is one reason why this disease is so often mistaken as just a passing sprain or swelling of the foot. You may totally miss these signs and dismiss the warmth and redness and still continue to move on to your daily activities. But the most evident symptom of this disease is the deformity that starts to occur. When masses start to form and several bruises appear, it is high time for you to seek medical help immediately.
Since Charcot's foot is a sprain or a fracture that is ignored due to neuropathy, the treatment is also similar to the usual cases of injuries pertaining to the feet. Rest and relaxation are vital to patients of this disease. Many cases can be avoided if signs are immediately seen and further stress is avoided. Another solution comes in the form of casts. Either fiber or plexiglass casts are available to protect your foot from contact thus lessening the stress compounded on the foot.
