Charcot Joint

Question 1

What are the common examination findings?

Answer 1

Bag of bones joint

Rocker bottom foot along with peripheral neuropathy and loss of joint sense

Warm, swollen, uncomfortable foot

Question 2

What are the investigations?

Answer 2

To finish the exam i would like to - examine the joint above and below and perform a neurovascular exam if i havent already also urinalysis

By the bed - History and obs and functional status

Bloods - FBC for anaemia, U/E, LFTs and GLUCOSE/HBA1c - all for diabetes

Other - X ray of the joint

Question 3

What are the key investigation findings?

Answer 3

Bloods suggesting Diabetes

Question 4

What is the treatment?

Answer 4

Conservative - Explain what it is and its associated with DM

MDT - Physio, OT, GP, rheumatologist, diabetogist and other doctors if other symptoms. Podiatry and foot bare

Splints and walking aids

Medical - Pain management

Surgical - Joint may need surgical fusion

Question 5

What are the risk factors?

Answer 5

Diabetes and any of the risk factors associated with this

Any cause of peripheral neuropathy