Charcot osteoarthropathy of the foot.

BACKGROUND

One of the most devastating complications of diabetes is Charcot osteoarthropathy. It can lead to gross structural deformities of the foot and ankle, and subsequent skin ulceration and lower limb amputation from soft tissue or bony infection. However, it is often unrecognised, with deleterious consequences.

OBJECTIVE

This article describes the case of a man with type 1 diabetes who presented with Charcot osteoarthropathy of both feet, with a 3 month delay in diagnosis between the two presentations.

DISCUSSION: Treatment, patient comorbidities and risk management were similar for both feet, with a marked difference in outcome, demonstrating the importance of the timely diagnosis of Charcot osteoarthropathy.