Charcot Foot

[Pppatrick]

Hello everyone,
I've just been diagnosed and given an Ossur Rebound Diabetic Walker which is basically a boot with hard exterior, straps and loose internal foam warp-around. The NHS material I’ve read all advises total contact cast in the initial phase, as 100% offload, 100% immobilisation plus arch support is vital. The Ossur walker seems designed for foot ulcers, where immobilisation and arch support may not be as critical.
Has anyone else with Charcot been given an Ossur?
Thank you for any information.

Patrick

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about your charcot foot @Pppatrick

We’ve had a few threads on this recently, and I’ll tag our resident Charcot Correspondent, the lovely @Flower 🙂

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/search/147071/?q=charcot&o=date

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome

So sorry to hear you have Charcot Foot. I don't have any personal experience but will tag @Flower who sadly does suffer with it but is very knowledgeable on the subject.

 

[Pppatrick]

Sorry to hear about your charcot foot @Pppatrick

We’ve had a few threads on this recently, and I’ll tag our resident Charcot Correspondent, the lovely @Flower 🙂

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/search/147071/?q=charcot&o=date

Thank you, sounds good.

 

[Pppatrick]

Hi and welcome

So sorry to hear you have Charcot Foot. I don't have any personal experience but will tag @Flower who sadly does suffer with it but is very knowledgeable on the subject.

Thank you.

 

[Flower]

Hello and welcome @Pppatrick

I'm sorry you've been diagnosed with Charcot foot. It is a long term complication and takes a lot of vigilance and care to protect your foot/feet from further damage and ulcers.

I was put in a total contact cast from the off although the bones in my midfoot and arch had all collapsed by then as I was misdiagnosed with a sprain and left to walk unaided on it. Is there a reason why you have been put in a walker boot? Have you got an ulcer or other skin damage that needs regular dressing or attention where a removable boot is easier than a cast that needs taking off and reapplying . An Ossur boot does provide immobilisation and I have been in both casts and boots over the years but I don't know why one method of immobilisation was chosen over another - more stable foot maybe - but that's my best guess.

Has your foot changed shape with fractures and arch collapse or is in still intact? Are you non weight bearing on crutches? I'd suggest contacting the clinic who diagnosed and put your foot in a boot and ask why that method has been chosen.

Whatever the reason I wish you well ongoing. Charcot foot is a tough complication to live with and it can stop you in your tracks when things go wrong.

 

[Pppatrick]

Hello and welcome @Pppatrick

I'm sorry you've been diagnosed with Charcot foot. It is a long term complication and takes a lot of vigilance and care to protect your foot/feet from further damage and ulcers.

I was put in a total contact cast from the off although the bones in my midfoot and arch had all collapsed by then as I was misdiagnosed with a sprain and left to walk unaided on it. Is there a reason why you have been put in a walker boot? Have you got an ulcer or other skin damage that needs regular dressing or attention where a removable boot is easier than a cast that needs taking off and reapplying . An Ossur boot does provide immobilisation and I have been in both casts and boots over the years but I don't know why one method of immobilisation was chosen over another - more stable foot maybe - but that's my best guess.

Has your foot changed shape with fractures and arch collapse or is in still intact? Are you non weight bearing on crutches? I'd suggest contacting the clinic who diagnosed and put your foot in a boot and ask why that method has been chosen.

Whatever the reason I wish you well ongoing. Charcot foot is a tough complication to live with and it can stop you in your tracks when things go wrong.

Hi Flower,
I wrapped a piece of string around it and the Charcot foot is bigger, wider and swollen rather than deformed. I think it's got bigger since first diagnosed early June. No ulcers. I think they went for the Ossur as it's more convenient for taking temps.
For how many weeks do you need the temp to be under 2C? And is it spot by spot measurement or just average foot difference between the two? So if average under 2C then ok, even if there's one area where the difference is 2 plus?