1/2. Charcot foot osteoarthropathy in diabetes mellitus.Charcot joint, a destructive bone and joint disorder of the foot, is becoming more common in long-term diabetic patients. The combination of diabetic neuropathy and painless trauma causes dislocation and collapse of the tarsal joints. The resulting soft tissue and osseous pathology easily mimics an infective episode. This report presents a review of the clinical identification, diagnosis, and treatment of this unusual diabetic complication, plus a review of three cases. Also, the pathogenesis of Charcot joint is explained in describing why surgery can be a viable treatment alternative in these patients, after careful evaluation. It is also necessary that physicians inspect the feet of their diabetic patients to rule out quiescent beginnings of Charcot joints. Referral to a podiatrist is recommended for long-term management of the Charcot foot.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/2. Limb threatening neuropathic complications from ankle fractures in patients with diabetes.Although less common than neuropathic (Charcot) deformities in feet, ankle deformities can occur and produce significant limb threatening complications after injury in patients with longstanding diabetes. A series of six such complications, including one that resulted in amputation and several near amputations, are presented. The authors' primary purpose is to alert or remind physicians and orthopaedic surgeons of the often unanticipated but significant complications of these rare and seemingly mild ankle injuries. A secondary purpose is to point out that complications may be avoided or mitigated with early stabilization and possibly with treatment of bone resorbing, inflammatory processes characteristic of neuroarthropathies.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |