Neuropathic osteoarthropathy (Charcot's foot) as a chronic complication of diabetes - A case report

Neuropathic osteoarthropathy, also known as Charcot's foot, is an infrequent complication in patients with diabetes mellitus and severe neuropathy. We report a case of a 27-year-old diabetic man 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 without bone marrow involvement. Charcot's foot was diagnosed and treated with a total-contact cast for rest. 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.