LIFE WITH A CHARCOT FOOT 

Helping A Husband With Charcot Foot

Hello, I would like to share a true story that happened in Nov. of 2000. My husband was accidently shot in the right upper thigh while him and a buddy were unloading guns after a hunting trip.  After a week long hospital stay and three surgeries later he was discharged to home. A couple of months past and he started complaining of pain in the foot and ankle. We requested that x-rays be done in February of 2001.   The x-rays showed some "washing away of the bone" (which is how the Dr. described it.

At that time he was told to continue to wear the sole boot with the sheep skin lining in
it.  He was also told not to put any weight on the foot, so this left him still on crutches. In March, when x-rays were taken we were given the Charcot-foot diagnosis. Treatment at that time was a fiberglass cast that can be removed two times a week for skin care. This allows him to put a shoe on his foot and go through the motion of walking with crutches. His Orthopedic doctor has referred him to an Adult Foot Specialist.

We have been told the most important thing with charcot foot is to protect the foot, from any type of accidental bumping, tripping,etc. because of the bones being brittle.  My husband has always been the type of person that has done manual labor all his working life and it really bothers him that he is not able to do the things he could do prior to being diagnosed.   The vibrations of riding in an auto also causes pain in his foot.

My only advice for one or any family member of a loved one that has charcot-foot is to keep their spirits up and to help the person find hobbies that they can do.  Keeping their hands busy helps to keep their minds off their problems. And please remember thru GOD all things are possible. Don't give up the faith. Good luck to all Charcot-foot paitents and their loved ones.