European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CASE REPORT CHARCOT,S FOOT IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Waseem Raja*, MD. Rohey Jan MD and M.H. Bhat MD, DM

ABSTRACT

Charcot's foot, is an infrequent complication in patients with diabetes mellitus and severe neuropathy. We report a case of a 48-year-old diabetic female who presented with a painless, erythematous and swollen right foot. Plain radiographs of the right foot showed subluxations and bony fragments in the tarsal-metatarsal and metatarsal-phalangeal joints. The nerve conduction velocity test confirmed the presence of sensory neuropathy in both lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right foot demonstrated destructive osseous debris and bony fragments with marked marrow edema. Charcot's foot was diagnosed and treated with a total-contact cast and bisphosphonate therapy. Charcot's foot should be suspected in any long-standing-neuropathic diabetic patient with a warm swollen foot without local or systemic signs of infection. Early recognition of Charcot's foot and immobilization with a total-contact cast can minimize potential foot deformity, ulceration and loss of function.

Keywords: Charcot's foot, Diabetes mellitus, Neuropathic osteoarthropathy, Neuropathy Registrar, Resident, senior consultant.