Diabetic Ulcers & Charcot Foot
Comprehensive diagnosis and evidence-based treatment for Diabetic Ulcers & Charcot Foot in Pune by Foot and Ankle Specialist Dr Shyam Thakkar at ARTICUL8 Clinic, Erandwane. Numbness, red warm swollen foot, or non-healing sores in patients with long-standing diabetes.
Clinical Imaging: Specialized diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer inspection & Charcot rocker-bottom offloading.
Understanding Diabetic Ulcers & Charcot Foot
Diabetic foot complications arise from peripheral neuropathy (loss of pain sensation) and poor blood supply. A callus or minor sore in a diabetic foot can hide deep tissue breakdown underneath, leading to non-healing ulcers, Charcot neuroarthropathy (bone collapse), infection, gangrene, and amputation risk if neglected.
CRITICAL MEDICAL WARNING: Diabetic patients may have reduced pain sensation (neuropathy), poor blood supply, and delayed wound healing. A callus in a diabetic foot can hide skin breakdown underneath, leading to foot ulcers, infection, gangrene, and risk of amputation. ANY corn, callus, or sore in a diabetic patient MUST be evaluated by a specialist immediately!
Common Symptoms & Warning Signs
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, a clinical evaluation by a foot and ankle specialist is recommended:
Causes & Contributing Factors
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (reduced pain sensation)
- Charcot Neuroarthropathy—painless micro-fractures causing bone collapse into a rocker-bottom shape
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) impairing blood flow and wound healing
- High plantar pressure spots under bony deformities leading to skin breakdown
Diagnostic Methods & Imaging
Dr Shyam Thakkar performs systematic clinical exams combined with advanced imaging to formulate an accurate diagnosis:
Semmes-Weinstein 10g monofilament test evaluating sensory nerve loss
Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) and arterial Doppler ultrasound to verify blood flow
Standing weight-bearing X-rays or MRI to rule out underlying osteomyelitis bone infection
Treatment Options & Care Pathways
Phase 1: Evidence-Based Non-Surgical Therapies
Reconstructive Charcot Ex-Fix & Limb Salvage
Internal/external frame reconstructive surgery to reshape collapsed bones, eliminate pressure points, heal chronic ulcers, and prevent amputation.
When Should You See Dr. Shyam Thakkar?
Seek an immediate consultation if you experience any of the following clinical signs:
Frequently Asked Questions — Diabetic Ulcers & Charcot Foot
1. What is diabetic foot?
Diabetic foot problems occur because of reduced sensation, poor blood supply and delayed healing, which increase the risk of ulcers, infection and deformity.
2. What is Charcot foot?
Charcot foot (charcot neuroarthropathy treatment) is a severe neuropathy-related condition where the bones and joints weaken and collapse, causing swelling, warmth, deformity and instability.
3. Why is early treatment important in diabetic and Charcot foot?
Early treatment by a diabetic foot specialist pune can prevent ulcers, deep infection, major deformity and amputation. It also improves the chances of preserving a functional limb.
4. When is reconstruction needed for diabetic or Charcot foot?
Reconstruction may be recommended when deformity, instability or recurrent ulcers cannot be controlled with footwear, offloading, wound care or other non-surgical treatments.
5. What does diabetic or Charcot foot reconstruction involve?
Treatment by a diabetic foot surgeon pune may include deformity correction, bone realignment, joint fusion, stabilization with plates or rods, ulcer debridement and limb salvage surgery pune.
6. Can diabetic foot lead to amputation?
Yes, if infection, deformity or poor blood flow cannot be controlled, amputation may become necessary. The goal of diabetic and charcot foot reconstruction is to avoid this whenever possible.
Dr Shyam Thakkar
Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Specialist & Surgeon
Expert care for Diabetic Ulcers & Charcot Foot. Consult Dr Shyam Thakkar at Erandwane clinic or leading Pune hospitals.