Updates on Diabetic Foot and Charcot Osteopathic Arthropathy

AbstractPurpose of ReviewDiabetes mellitus affects approximately 30.8 million people currently living in the USA. Chronic diabetes complications, including diabetic foot complications, remain prevalent and challenging to treat. We review clinical diagnosis and challenges providers may encounter when managing diabetic foot ulcers and Charcot neuroarthropathy.Recent FindingsMechanisms controlling these diseases are being elucidated and not fully understood. Offloading is paramount to heal and manage diabetic foot ulcers and Charcot neuroarthropathy. Diabetic foot ulcers recur and the importance of routine surveillance and multidisciplinary approach is essential. Several predictors of failure in Charcot foot include a related diabetic foot ulcer, midfoot or rearfoot location of the Charcot event, and progressive bony changes on interval radiographs.SummaryPatients with diabetic foot ulcer and/or Charcot neuroarthropathy are in need of consistent and regular special multidisciplinary care. If not diagnosed early and managed effectively, morbidity and mortality significantly increase.
Source: Current Diabetes Reports - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research