Charcot Foot

Charcot Foot Treatment in India

Charcot foot is a serious condition where diabetic nerve damage allows the bones of the foot to weaken, fracture, and collapse — often with little pain, despite dramatic changes in shape. At EDFC, early Charcot foot is treated urgently with offloading and immobilisation to stop the collapse and protect the foot.

What is Charcot foot?

Charcot foot (Charcot neuroarthropathy) happens when nerve damage removes protective sensation and disrupts the bone's normal repair, so the foot's bones and joints gradually fracture and dislocate. Because the foot can't feel it, the person keeps walking — accelerating the collapse. Over time the arch can drop into a "rocker-bottom" shape, which then becomes a high-risk site for ulcers. Early recognition is critical, because prompt treatment can prevent permanent deformity.

Signs to watch for

• A red, hot, swollen foot — often without much pain
• One foot noticeably warmer than the other
• A change in the foot's shape or a dropping arch
• Swelling that doesn't settle with rest
• A history of diabetic neuropathy

When to see a doctor in India: a hot, swollen diabetic foot is a medical emergency until Charcot foot or infection is ruled out — see a specialist immediately, and keep weight off the foot.

Why it happens

The underlying cause is advanced diabetic neuropathy. With sensation and bone regulation impaired, ordinary walking forces cause micro-fractures that the foot can't protect itself from, leading to progressive collapse.

How EDFC treats Charcot foot

• Urgent offloading — immobilisation and casting to stop the collapse.
• Imaging — X-ray and MRI to assess the bones and rule out infection.
• Bracing & orthotics — custom support as the foot stabilises.
• Surgery if needed — deformity correction for an unstable or ulcer-prone foot.

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