Does diabetes cause foot deformities? This could be a dangerous condition called Charcot Foot!

Do you have diabetes? Then you probably already know that you need to take great care of your feet, just like any other part of your body. But sometimes, even a small change in your foot, a little swelling, or a little heat that feels worse than the other foot, can be the beginning of a bigger problem than you think. Today, we are going to talk about a condition that comes with diabetes, but which many people in our country do not know about, but which can be very dangerous if not paid proper attention. We call this 'Charcot Foot'.

Simply put, what is Charcot Foot?

Think of the nerves in your legs as a system of telephone wires. This system of wires carries the sensations in your legs, such as pain, heat, and touch, to your brain. Now, when diabetes is not well controlled for a long time, the nerves in your legs can be damaged by high blood sugar levels. In medicine, we call this diabetic neuropathy .

What happens when nerves are damaged like this? The feeling in the legs decreases. Some people feel like their legs are tingling, while others feel nothing at all.

Now imagine that while you were walking with a leg that had no sensation, you accidentally twisted your leg a little, or you had a small fracture in your leg. A normal person would feel severe pain when that happened, so they would quickly rest and seek treatment. But since your nerves are weak and you have no sensation, you don't feel this pain. So you walk, run, and work on that leg as usual.

That's when the problem begins. As the already damaged bones and joints continue to be stressed, the damage increases. The bones begin to break and crumble, and the joints begin to loosen. Over time, the entire foot changes shape and begins to deform. That's what we call Charcot Foot .

What are the symptoms of Charcot Foot? How to recognize it early?

Early detection of this condition is the most important thing. Because the sooner it is detected, the more serious complications can be prevented. Let's see what the symptoms are. I will show you this in an easy-to-understand chart .

Why do some people develop this condition? What are the risk factors?

The main cause of Charcot Foot is the nerve damage caused by diabetes (Diabetic Neuropathy) , which we discussed earlier. However, not everyone with diabetes develops this condition. There are several other factors that increase the risk of developing this condition.

• Having diabetes for a long time: People who have had diabetes for more than 7-10 years are at higher risk.
• Poorly controlled diabetes: Continuously high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) quickly damage the nerves.
• Smoking: Smoking narrows blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the feet. This negatively affects nerves and wound healing.
• Alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can also directly damage the nerves.
• Hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity: These conditions can also interfere with blood circulation and increase the risk.
• Kidney disease: This risk is also higher in people with kidney disease caused by diabetes.

What dangerous complications can this cause?

You may feel a little scared when you hear these facts. But it is very important to know these things, because then we will take care of this. If Charcot Foot is not treated in time, serious complications can occur.

1. Permanent deformity of the foot: The shape of the foot can be permanently changed. This makes it impossible to wear normal shoes and makes it difficult to walk.

2. Non-healing wounds and infections: Foot ulcers can easily become infected with bacteria. Sometimes these infections can spread to the bones.

3. Amputation: If the infection cannot be controlled, or if the deformity of the foot is severe , sometimes part or all of the foot may need to be surgically removed to save life.

4. Life-threatening: If a foot infection gets into the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body (sepsis), it can even be life-threatening.

How does a doctor diagnose and treat this?

When you tell your doctor about your symptoms, the first thing he or she will do is examine both of your feet. He or she will compare your feet and look for swelling, changes in shape, redness, and warmth. He or she will also check how your feet feel.

After that, you may be referred for tests such as these to confirm the diagnosis:

• Foot X-rays: Check for damage, cracks, or fractures to the bones.
• MRI scan (MRI): To clearly see damage to soft tissues and joints in addition to bones.
• Blood tests: Check for infection.

Treatment methods

The main treatment for Charcot Foot is "off-loading," which means not putting any weight on the affected foot. This is essential because continuing to walk on the damaged bones will only make the condition worse.

For this, the doctor may recommend things like:

• Applying a special plaster (cast): A specially designed cast is applied to prevent the foot from moving or bearing weight.
• Using crutches or a walker .
• Using a wheelchair: If the condition is severe, you may have to use a wheelchair for a while.
• Special shoes and devices (Orthotics and Footwear): After the bones of the foot have healed, you will need to use special shoes or inserts (`Orthotics`) that fit the shape of the foot and do not put extra pressure on it.
• Physical Therapy: With the help of a physical therapist, you can do exercises to improve the movement of the joints and strengthen the muscles of the foot.
• Surgery: In some severe cases, surgery may be required to set the broken bones and stabilize the foot.

Things you should do to protect your feet if you have diabetes

To protect yourself from the serious condition called Charcot Foot, you need to take good care of your feet as a diabetic. Make these habits a part of your daily life.

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