Named by French neurologist Jean-Marie Charcot in 1868, Charcot joint, also known as a neurotrophic joint, is a degenerative condition impacting stress-bearing joints, such as the ankle and feet. Charcot noted this disease process as a complication of syphilis, which is believed to be the most common cause of Charcot arthropathy. It was first explained in patients plagued with leprosy and alcoholism. This disease is triggered by lack of feeling in the joint so that it is severely damaged and disrupted and affects the form of the foot. Charcot foot affects the tarso metatarsal, tarsal joints and metatarsal, which are situated in the forefoot and midfoot.
In 1963, William Jordan also referred to similar design for Charcot joint disease as a problem of diabetic neuropathy, and diabetes is currently recognized to be the most common cause of the problem worldwide. It may also happen with several other diseases that have an effect on the sensory nervous system (alcoholism, leprosy, syphilis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease to mention a few).
It is estimated that 1 out of 700 patients with diabetes will establish Charcot joint. Other diseases that present in a similar fashion as Charcot include rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Neuropathy is a term used to describe problems with the nervous system that occurs when nerves of the peripheral nervous system (the area of the nervous system beyond the mind and spinal-cord) are damaged.
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In diabetics this is called peripheral neuropathy and affects the sensory anxious system to the peripheral, or further, points of your body (i.e. foot and hands) causing lack of feeling or numbness. It could have an effect on nerves that control muscle movement (engine nerves) and those that detect feelings such as coldness or pain (sensory nerves). Arthropathy is a term used to describe a problem with a joint and Joint Support Supplements.
Therefore, neuropathic arthropathy is referred to as problems with joints related to insufficient nerve system insight. Charcot arthropathy has three levels, where the first stage is a fragmentation or devastation stage, second stage is termed coalescence and the third stage will start once the acute process is solved and the recovery on-going.
In the first stage the joint and surrounding bone is demolished and becomes unpredictable and in some cases the bone is totally reabsorbed. The condition is clinically recognized by significant erythema (redness), and ambiance or temperature to the area. As the bones and joint are affected, fractures and instability develop will dislocate or shift relation in joints which can result in severe deformity of the foot and ankle. Diagnosis and early treatment at this stage is important to attempt to minimize the bone deformity and devastation, where the process may last as long as six to 12 months.
