Management of hindfoot and ankle in Charcot arthropathy

Charcot neuroarthropathy is the most severe complication of the diabetic foot. Its diagnosis is difficult and often overlooked, delaying management, with sometimes disastrous consequences. Its incidence is increasing due to the rapid global rise in the number of people with diabetes. Its pathophysio...

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Main Author: Nicolas Cellier
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Bioscientifica 2025-06-01
Series:EFORT Open Reviews
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Online Access:https://eor.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/eor/10/6/EOR-2025-0057.xml
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author Nicolas Cellier
author_facet Nicolas Cellier
author_sort Nicolas Cellier
collection DOAJ
description Charcot neuroarthropathy is the most severe complication of the diabetic foot. Its diagnosis is difficult and often overlooked, delaying management, with sometimes disastrous consequences. Its incidence is increasing due to the rapid global rise in the number of people with diabetes. Its pathophysiology remains unclear, although the activation of the RANK/RANK-L system appears to be involved, triggered either by neurotraumatic or neurovascular mechanisms, leading to the differentiation of monocytes into osteoclasts. Diagnosis relies on clinical and radiological arguments, particularly MRI. There are different types of Charcot foot depending on the evolution, according to Eichenholtz’s classification and based on location according to Sanders and Brodsky’s classifications. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach with diabetes management and addressing other general complications. Medical treatment is indicated as the first line, with offloading and immobilisation using a ‘total contact cast’. In case of failure of this method, or if there is immediate deformity, surgical intervention is indicated, and techniques are evolving rapidly. Depending on the deformity, minimally invasive or arthroscopic procedures may be performed. In cases of significant deformity, foot reconstruction may be proposed, using the so-called ‘super construct’ technique if necessary. Infection will be treated concurrently or initially, depending on severity. Many complications are reported, but increasingly early and aggressive surgery improves patients’ quality of life and reduces amputation rates.
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spelling doaj-art-a0f54adb2c844c1cbe03d0c6b5c2c5fc2025-08-20T03:24:59ZengBioscientificaEFORT Open Reviews2058-52412025-06-0110632733510.1530/EOR-2025-00571Management of hindfoot and ankle in Charcot arthropathyNicolas Cellier0Department of Orthopedic and Traumatological Surgery, Spine surgery - Pr Kouyoumdjian. Caremeau University Hospital, Nîmes, FranceCharcot neuroarthropathy is the most severe complication of the diabetic foot. Its diagnosis is difficult and often overlooked, delaying management, with sometimes disastrous consequences. Its incidence is increasing due to the rapid global rise in the number of people with diabetes. Its pathophysiology remains unclear, although the activation of the RANK/RANK-L system appears to be involved, triggered either by neurotraumatic or neurovascular mechanisms, leading to the differentiation of monocytes into osteoclasts. Diagnosis relies on clinical and radiological arguments, particularly MRI. There are different types of Charcot foot depending on the evolution, according to Eichenholtz’s classification and based on location according to Sanders and Brodsky’s classifications. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach with diabetes management and addressing other general complications. Medical treatment is indicated as the first line, with offloading and immobilisation using a ‘total contact cast’. In case of failure of this method, or if there is immediate deformity, surgical intervention is indicated, and techniques are evolving rapidly. Depending on the deformity, minimally invasive or arthroscopic procedures may be performed. In cases of significant deformity, foot reconstruction may be proposed, using the so-called ‘super construct’ technique if necessary. Infection will be treated concurrently or initially, depending on severity. Many complications are reported, but increasingly early and aggressive surgery improves patients’ quality of life and reduces amputation rates.https://eor.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/eor/10/6/EOR-2025-0057.xmlcharcotfootmanagementdiabetessurgicalhindfootankleneuroarthropathy
spellingShingle Nicolas Cellier
Management of hindfoot and ankle in Charcot arthropathy
EFORT Open Reviews
charcot
foot
management
diabetes
surgical
hindfoot
ankle
neuroarthropathy
title Management of hindfoot and ankle in Charcot arthropathy
title_full Management of hindfoot and ankle in Charcot arthropathy
title_fullStr Management of hindfoot and ankle in Charcot arthropathy
title_full_unstemmed Management of hindfoot and ankle in Charcot arthropathy
title_short Management of hindfoot and ankle in Charcot arthropathy
title_sort management of hindfoot and ankle in charcot arthropathy
topic charcot
foot
management
diabetes
surgical
hindfoot
ankle
neuroarthropathy
url https://eor.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/eor/10/6/EOR-2025-0057.xml
work_keys_str_mv AT nicolascellier managementofhindfootandankleincharcotarthropathy