• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2026 Survey »

Just had Charcon Foot diagnosed...why isn't there a forum?

C

Catalystchris

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi, I've just been diagnosed with Charcot Foot stemming from my type 2 diabetes which I've had since the 1980's.
I was given an Aircast boot which allows me to walk....but should I?
Although it's a snug fit, aren't I still putting weight on the foot- won't this worsen the condition?
I'd love to hear the experiences of other sufferers but, much to my surprise, there doesn't seem to be a Charcon Foot section, blog, or discussion group. BTW, I'm in Burton upon Trent.
 
Hi @Catalystchris and welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear you are suffering. I don’t have experience of Charcot foot myself, but have heard of it. I’m guessing there isn’t a specific forum as it is relatively rare. Whilst I was Googling to see how rare it is I came across this NHS info which you may find handy if you haven’t been given comprehensive info already:
However you need to follow the advice you have had from your medics as everyone is different.
 
Thanks, Radox, for your kind reply.
The medics follow the book....keep your weight off it until the bones settle past their soft, or plastic, stage when they harden up and thats the way they set. That makes sense only if you take to your bed permanently....not an option if you want a life.
So the 'gold standard' is to have a plaster, which has to be changed every couple of weeks to compesate for the reduction in swelling, to keep your foot in shape while it goes through it transition to plastic and solidity. The use of crutches or a wheelchair is also recommended so life is marginally better.
The silver standard is the removable air boot which allows you to walk. This is supposed to do the same thing as the plaster, holding the foot immobile by means of pumping up three airbags situated to the right, left and rear of the ankle....but there's nothing to immobilise the foot itself so nothing to keep the arch up and the foot will inevitably become flatter. This can be seen in the many papers with x-rays shown on the internet.
So it's my strong feeling that better support can be provided with well-fitting and fairly inflexible foorwear.
This condition effects a fair proportion of diabetics and I hope they will recount their thoughts and experiences.
 
Hello and welcome.

Bilous and Donnelly describe Charcot's arthropathy as "a rare complication of severe neuropathy in long-standing diabetes".

Offhand I can't think of any current forum members reporting Charcot foot. There may well be some older threads, though. If there is enough interest in a particular facet of diabetes, we'd normally at least consider creating a separate forum for it. With a bit of luck this thread may draw some responses.
 
Hi @Catalystchris
I was diagnosed with Charcot Foot in October 2013. I had both legs put in plaster and given Aircast boots and crutches. The thing with Aircast Boots is that they absorb some of the shock caused by body weight if used as advised. My feet were inspected each time the plaster was changed fortnightly. In theory I could have used crutches, but for work especially a wheelchair was easier. I eventually escaped plaster, crutches and wheelchair the following August. Ever since I have been prescribed orthotic shoes. I have been advised not to skip, dance or run. I have adjusted to this.

1777807969151.png
 
Grant_Vicat said:
Hi @Catalystchris
I was diagnosed with Charcot Foot in October 2013. I had both legs put in plaster and given Aircast boots and crutches. The thing with Aircast Boots is that they absorb some of the shock caused by body weight if used as advised. My feet were inspected each time the plaster was changed fortnightly. In theory I could have used crutches, but for work especially a wheelchair was easier. I eventually escaped plaster, crutches and wheelchair the following August. Ever since I have been prescribed orthotic shoes. I have been advised not to skip, dance or run. I have adjusted to this.

View attachment 75370
Click to expand...
Hi Grant_Vicat and thanks for sharing your experiences....that's an impressive gang of pushers you've got in the photo!
I'm 80, probably the extreme age end of the afflicted, and my swelling is low although the arch has partially collapsed, no redness, pain or dermatological damage and the greatest temperature differential is 2degC on the outside centre of my right foot.
The NHS podiatrist gave me the aircast boot, showed me how to fit it, advised me to keep off me feet as much as possible and said they would like to see me again in a few weeks time.
So if limited walking is OK in the aircast which doesn't really hug the foot, wouldn't it be better to use an orthopaedic diabetic shoe which does hug the foot instead?
 
Catalystchris said:
Hi Grant_Vicat and thanks for sharing your experiences....that's an impressive gang of pushers you've got in the photo!
I'm 80, probably the extreme age end of the afflicted, and my swelling is low although the arch has partially collapsed, no redness, pain or dermatological damage and the greatest temperature differential is 2degC on the outside centre of my right foot.
The NHS podiatrist gave me the aircast boot, showed me how to fit it, advised me to keep off me feet as much as possible and said they would like to see me again in a few weeks time.
So if limited walking is OK in the aircast which doesn't really hug the foot, wouldn't it be better to use an orthopaedic diabetic shoe which does hug the foot instead?
Click to expand...
It's a pleasure @Catalystchris . The gang were all in my class! Although the Aircast looks as though it doesn't hug the foot, because it puts comfortable pressure all around the foot, it's pretty effective. In late 2014 I had to stand in fine casting sand and they took exact imprints of my feet, from which they tailor made insoles. In theory you could use diabetic orthopedic shoes, but only if your fott doesn't move inside and that you have tailor made insoles. I have old insoles from delapidated orthotic shoes which I use in my diabetic slippers. I wish you every success.
 
Back
Top