BACKGROUND: There is only sparse scientific data about the long-term effects of the Charcot foot on patients' lives and the clinical outcome. This study evaluates the long-term effects of diabetic Charcot foot. METHODS: A cross-sectional follow-up study of consecutive series of patients with Charcot foot referred to the University Hospital Diabetic Foot and Ankle Clinic between 1991 and 2002. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were referred with Charcot foot between 1991 and 2002. After an average follow-up of 8 years their overall mortality rate was 29% (12/41) and 29 patients (30 Charcot feet) have been followed more than 5 years. Sixty-seven percent of Charcot feet suffered at least one episode of ulceration and 50% (15/30) of affected feet had surgical treatment resulting in 29 operations. Simple exostectomy was successful in 62% of cases. The need for surgical management increased markedly 4 years after the diagnosis. Correct diagnosis within 3 months resulted in better functional outcome (AOFAS) and walking distance (p=0.006 and p=0.008, respectively). Lower SF-36 component scores in physical functioning, social functioning and general health perceptions were found when the study population was compared to the general population and chronically ill control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic Charcot foot decreases patient's physical functioning and general health but does not usually affect mental health. Surgical management is often required with an increase 4 years post-diagnosis. A delay of diagnosis of more than 3 months was found to adversely affect the quality of life and functional outcome.
BACKGROUND: There is only sparse scientific data about the long-term effects of the Charcot foot on patients' lives and the clinical outcome. This study evaluates the long-term effects of diabetic Charcot foot. METHODS: A cross-sectional follow-up study of consecutive series of patients with Charcot foot referred to the University Hospital Diabetic Foot and Ankle Clinic between 1991 and 2002. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were referred with Charcot foot between 1991 and 2002. After an average follow-up of 8 years their overall mortality rate was 29% (12/41) and 29 patients (30 Charcot feet) have been followed more than 5 years. Sixty-seven percent of Charcot feet suffered at least one episode of ulceration and 50% (15/30) of affected feet had surgical treatment resulting in 29 operations. Simple exostectomy was successful in 62% of cases. The need for surgical management increased markedly 4 years after the diagnosis. Correct diagnosis within 3 months resulted in better functional outcome (AOFAS) and walking distance (p=0.006 and p=0.008, respectively). Lower SF-36 component scores in physical functioning, social functioning and general health perceptions were found when the study population was compared to the general population and chronically ill control subjects. CONCLUSIONS:Diabetic Charcot foot decreasespatient's physical functioning and general health but does not usually affect mental health. Surgical management is often required with an increase 4 years post-diagnosis. A delay of diagnosis of more than 3 months was found to adversely affect the quality of life and functional outcome.
Authors: Dane K Wukich; Tresa L Sambenedetto; Natalie M Mota; Natalie C Suder; Bedda L Rosario Journal: J Foot Ankle Surg Date: 2016-03-24 Impact factor: 1.286
Authors: Felix W A Waibel; Martin C Berli; Viviane Gratwohl; Kati Sairanen; Dominik Kaiser; Laura Shin; David G Armstrong; Madlaina Schöni Journal: Foot Ankle Int Date: 2020-07-22 Impact factor: 2.827