DIABETIC CHARCOT ARTHROPATHY OF THE ANKLE - DR KHAIRUL FAIZI MOHAMMAD

deformity of the ankle due to Diabetic Charcot Arthropathy

Lateral view of the ankle showing the ankle joint sagging posteriorly. This deformity is hypermobile and painless. The patient is a longstanding sufferer of Diabetes.

Diabetes is a common problem in Malaysia. It is common confounded with problems to the eyes, kidneys and heart. It also leads to a loss in sensation to the feet which leads to ulceration and destruction of the joint in the feet called Charcot Arthropathy.

This condition leads to a progressively painless, derformed, hypermobile and unstable foot. As our feet are the post on which we stand on, these characteristics causes loss of the normal mechanics of the feet. This will lead to high contact pressures on areas in which are not use to pressure. Repeated trauma to these areas may subsequently lead to ulceration, infection and eventually osteomyelitis (infection in the bone).