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The Charcot Foot as a Complication of Diabetic Neuropathy

  • Microvascular Complications—Neuropathy (D Ziegler, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a leading global metabolic disorder accompanied by the overwhelming burden of its associated complications. Hyperglycaemia-induced endothelial damage or endothelial dysfunction serves as the primary instigator for the development of microvascular disease. Diabetic neuropathy represents the majority of microvascular sequelae and is the renowned perpetrator of a variety of foot complications, namely the Charcot foot (CF). CF is a debilitating medical emergency which is often mismanaged either due to a delayed diagnosis or lack of clinical expertise in the management of CF. Often, misdiagnosis during the acute stages of CF leads to irreversible and persistent joint destruction which may be refractory to medical or surgical treatment. Timely intervention with offloading measures is crucial during acute CF in ceasing active bone resorption. Current anti-resorptive agents may be considered as adjunctive therapy in combination with offloading. Novel agents are underway that will enable bone formation and suppress bone resorption.

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Conflict of Interest

Janice V. Mascarenhas and Edward B. Jude declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes and Endocrinology, Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Fountain Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Lancashire, OL6 9RW, UK

    Janice V. Mascarenhas & Edward B. Jude

  2. University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

    Janice V. Mascarenhas & Edward B. Jude

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  1. Janice V. Mascarenhas
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Correspondence to Edward B. Jude.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Microvascular Complications—Neuropathy

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Mascarenhas, J.V., Jude, E.B. The Charcot Foot as a Complication of Diabetic Neuropathy. Curr Diab Rep 14, 561 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-014-0561-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-014-0561-6

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