The Essentials of Charcot Neuroarthropathy

Book excerpt: The Essential Charcot Neuroarthropathy: Biomechanics, Pathophysiology, and MRI Findings provides a comprehensive analysis of Charcot neuroarthropathy (or Charcot Foot) in diabetic patients. All aspects are covered, including epidemiology, biomechanics, pathophysiology, socioeconomic impacts, radiological findings, and differential diagnosis, with an emphasis on MRI. Chapters address the challenges of pre-and-post surgical management of Charcot neuroarthropathy and the role of unconventional imaging modalities in diagnosis. The book presents an analysis of the normal biomechanics of the ankle and foot, the biomechanical derangements of the ankle-foot unit (including abnormal gait) caused by diabetes Type II, and more. Finally, there is also a reference of the pathophysiology of diabetes-induced peripheral neuropathy and its direct link with the development of Charcot neuroarthropathy foot. Diabetes-induced Charcot foot is frequently misunderstood, misinterpreted and misdiagnosed which can lead to confusion and detrimental management with reported high morbidity. - Presents a clear differentiation of Charcot neuroarthropathy with other conditions such as osteoarthritis, gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, the Madura foot, and others - Provides a state-of-art catalogue of all radiological features of Charcot neuroarthropathy with MRI - Describes the pre-and post-surgical procedures used for the management of Charcot neuroarthropathy and their socioeconomic impacts - Includes MRI color images of soft tissue damages for ease of understanding