South West Orthopedic Designs

Innovations in Design and Fabrication

 

About Us
Contact Us
Innovations
Photo Gallery
Home Page
PTTD
L-Codes
Casting
Work Order
Warranty/Wear/Care
Site Map
O&P Links

 

Charcot Foot/Charcot Neuropathy: Treatment and Management

Bracing is a non-invasive form of correcting problems caused by Charcot foot. Often gait abnormalities can be corrected by the use of a total contact ankle brace called the South West Charcot AFO (ankle-foot orthoses). This AFO helps control foot drop and ankle instability with a better sense of balance for patients. The SouthWest Charcot AFO is one of the latest forms of total contact bracing available for Charcot foot patients.

Make-up of the S. W. Charcot AFO:

Symptoms of Charcot foot:                       

  • Redness
  • Strong pulse 
  • Instability of the joint
  • Dislocation of the joint                     
  • Insensitivity in the foot                    
  • Subluxation (misalignment of the bones that form a joint)
  • Swelling of the foot and ankle (caused by synovial fluid that leaks out of the joint capsule)

Charcot foot affects the metatarsal, tarsometatarsal, and tarsal joints, which are located in the midfoot and forefoot. Charcot foot is a progressive degenerative condition that affects the joints in the feet. It is associated with nerve damage (neuropathy) that decreases the ability to sense stimuli, including pain, and decreases muscular reflexes that control movement. As a result, the joints in the feet are subjected to repeated trauma and injury, causing progressive damage to the ligaments, cartilage, and bones. 

Large bony overgrowths, or osteophytes, develop as the body replaces lost bone with new bone and may protrude from the top of the foot. Fractures may cause the tarsal bones to collapse and outward bowing of the arch, or "rocker foot."

 

Studies of the Charcot Foot

Charcot Foot: The Diagnostic Dilemma

Charcot Arthropathy in the foot and ankle

Charcot Foot - Operative versus Nonoperative Management

The Charcot Foot: Management of Diabetic Charcot Arthropathy

The Foot: Neuroarthropathy

 

Innovations in Design & Fabrication

South West Orthopedic Designs, LLC

36602 N. 16th St.

Phoenix, AZ 85086

Phone: (480) 703-9433 Fax: (623) 465-2888

SWODafo@yahoo.com

Copyright© 2002 South West Orthopedic Designs, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Last updated Jan. 2012.