Table of contents:
- Definition
- What are Charcot joints?
- How common are Charcot joints?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of Charcot's joint?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes Charcot joints?
- Risk factors
- What increases my risk for Charcot joints?
- Drugs & Medicines
- What are my treatment options for Charcot's joint?
- What are the usual tests for Charcot joints?
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat Charcot joints?
Definition
What are Charcot joints?
Charcot's joint is a condition also known as neurogenic arthropathy. This condition is a chronic disease that occurs in the leg joints such as the feet and ankles. Charcot joints are a condition that makes you feel numb in the joints.
Charcot joints with peripheral neuropathy will inhibit movement and sensation in the affected area. Charcot joints have symptoms in the feet and ankle joints.
How common are Charcot joints?
The number of cases of Charcot's joint in the world, especially Charcot arthropathy and arthritis, generally occurs in 0.5-3% of the adult population. Overall, this disease occurs in middle-aged women. As many as 70-80% of women of that age are infected. You can prevent this disease by reducing risk factors. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of Charcot's joint?
Initially, Charcot's joint was a condition that would not make you feel sick, even though it was a disease of significant joint damage. For this reason, patients often do not go to the doctor until serious symptoms develop. You need to see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Swelling in the red ankle or foot due to injury;
- Swollen, hot arms;
- Loss of feeling in joints;
- Bleeding under the skin at the swollen joint;
- Bone that changes shape.
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
When you feel swelling, irritation and redness in the leg joints (ankles and feet), the patient should see a doctor immediately. In particular, if you have had Charcot's arthropathy, the patient needs to be treated immediately.
Cause
What causes Charcot joints?
The most common cause of Charcot joints is diabetes. Also caused by neurosyphilis (also called Tabes dorsalis) and bone syringomyelia which can also cause neuropathy in this body.
Symptoms also occur due to:
- Spinal cord compression or peripheral nerve injury;
- Other congenital neuropathy;
- Pathological infection.
The level of distribution and the rate of death depends on the cause, both of these are related to the stage of the disease and the complications that occur.
Risk factors
What increases my risk for Charcot joints?
Certain factors that increase your risk of developing Charcot joints are:
- The presence of a spinal cord injury
- Alcohol addiction
- Babies with birth defects caused by the drug thalidomide the mother uses during pregnancy.
If there are no risk factors, it does not mean you have this disease. These markings are for reference only. You should consult a specialist for more details.
Drugs & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are my treatment options for Charcot's joint?
Currently, treatments for Charcot's joint are still being investigated. The doctor can help reduce the burden on the body and help the patient to use crutches, crutches, or a walker. This medical device protects joints by reducing body weight as a result of damage.
Your doctor will also prescribe treatment for diseases caused by Charcot's joint to reduce symptoms. Surgery is rarely used and will not work. Acute symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, often appear after 6 weeks of treatment. However, despite receiving treatment, the damaged nerves can no longer regenerate.
What are the usual tests for Charcot joints?
Doctors diagnosed Charcot's joint pain with examinations and X-rays. X-rays are used to show the degree of cartilage and joint damage and disease status.
In addition, the doctor may order ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the joint with contrast media to determine the cause of Charcot's joint.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat Charcot joints?
Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with Charcot joints:
- Perform a return check to the doctor to monitor the progress of symptoms and health status;
- Listen to the doctor's advice, do not use drugs without the doctor's permission or do not use the doctor's prescribed drugs;
- Manage diabetes healing process with diet and exercise
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
