Type 2 diabetes with insulin additionally Charcot foot

[chris edgecombe]

Good afternoon everyone, my name is Chris and i'm a recently retired industrial and pharmaceutical chemist with some background in native medicines and essential oils.
About a year ago I was (surprisingly quickly) diagnosed with Charcot Foot and moved immediately into a cast. Unfortunately I developed a recurrent ulcer which did not respond to antibiotics and in consequence they decided to operate having found a small area of osteomyelitis in one of the bones (that was now twisted into the wrong position). The op was simply carried out by a vascular surgeon under a spinal anesthetic and the small bone that was diseased was removed. It entailed about a weeks stay in hospital (very boring) but they used a vacuum therapy device which speeded the healing of a very large hole about fivefold. If you are given the choice of vac therapy - take it, it is brilliant. If you are not offered it then ask for it as not all hospitals are as forward thinking as mine.
I went home and still continued with the vac therapy for 4 months until it was removed a few days ago with the wound close on healed. As with all these things there is never a guarantee that all will be normal - usual possibilities, all OK, continuing infection or foot removal. Obviously the first option is best as I have become rather attached to my foot - but time will tell.
If I can help with any questions please let me know or if you have any experiences or suggestions I will be happy to learn.
Kind regards Chris.

 

[kim richardson]

Hi Chris,
I found this posting very interesting and I really hope that things improve for you gradually.
I am a Type 1 diabetic with a right Charcot which was diagnosed 7 years ago. I spent the first year in a crow boot much to my annoyance as it was extremley uncomfortable and caused more problems than I really needed. Anyway for the last 5 years my foot has been stable and although deformed quite badly with a rocker bottom, I can at least walk, albeit for small amounts of time and wear one type of normal shoe, thank goodness, but at least I still have my foot.
I do not know if you are aware, but a few weeks ago I started up my own support group here in the UK as I spent a lot of time trawling the internet trying to find a support group that covered the uk, and could not find one anywhere. I have found unfortunately that there is just not enough information or awareness of this dreadful condition out there and especially when you are first diagnosed with diabetes, no one tells you about Charcot. When I was first diagnosed with it, I just felt so islolated, bewildered and confused and I have to say it has changed my life completely. No longer can I do what I used to be able to, wear lovely shoes and do such simple things like walking along the beach barefoot. Still with the support of my family and lovely husband I take each day as it comes and hopefully if I am lucky this foot will continue to stay the way it is. I joined the Charcot Research and Support Group which is world wide, but unfortunately it all seems to be focused in America, Canada, New Zealand etc and not the UK. Whilst it is a brilliant forum with lots of help and advise and a good sounding board if you have any worries, their health system is so much more advanced then ours, to the degree that they perform reconstructive surgery quite frequently, something that the UK will not take on board, becasue of lack of trained staff and funding. I just wanted to try to make a difference here in the UK by bringing together people who are all in the same boat and by giving them their own support group they could use if they felt the need to talk to like minded people. I hope you will have a look at my site and perhaps give your support by liking this page, as that would be much appreciated. The page can be found on Facebook under the heading Charcot Foot Support Group, United Kingdom. I look forward to hearing from you. Kim