• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.243-250
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• 2013

Diabetic Charcot arthropathy is a severe joint disease in the foot and ankle that can result in fracture, permanent deformity, limb loss. Although recent research has improved our level of knowledge regarding its etiology and treatment, it still remains a poorly understood disease. It is a serious and potentially limb-threatening lower-extremity late complication of diabetes mellitus and its diagnosis is commonly missed upon initial presentation. Clinicians treating diabetic patients should be vigilant in recognizing early signs of acute Charcot arthropathy, such as pain, warmth, edema, or pathologic fracture in a neuropathic foot. Early detection and prompt treatment can prevent joint and bone destruction. If left untreated, it can reduce overall quality of life and dramatically increase morbidity and mortality of patients. The goal of this manuscript is to evaluate the current concepts of Charcot arthropathy through review of various literature and help clinicians decide the treatment strategy.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.165-169
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• 2001

Cavovarus deformities of both feet in 28 years old female patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease were treated by one-staged pantalar arthrodesis. Excellent results were achieved at 6 years after surgery. She could walk without brace or stick and she was satisfied with the result of one-staged pantalar arthrodesis. One-stage pantalar arthrodesis is an effective method of treatment for cavovarus deformity of foot in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.95-98
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• 2009

Charcot arthropathy of the foot and ankle is characterized by a combination of sensory, motor and autonomic peripheral neuropathy leading to gross swelling, bony destruction and finally severe bony deformity with joint instability. We report a case of very unstable Charcot arthropathy in ankle joint managed with ankle arthrodesis using fibular strut bone grafting technique.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.295-297
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• 2015

We report the case of 57-year-old woman diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and lumbar disk herniation (LDH). She had left leg weakness and foot numbness, foot deformity (muscle atrophy, high arch, and clawed toes). The lumbar spine MRI showed LDH at L4-5. Additionally, electrophysiology results were consistent with chronic peripheral motor-sensory polyneuropathy (axonopathy). In genetic testing, 17p11.2-p12 duplication/deletions characteristic of CMT disease were observed. We confirmed the patient's diagnosis as CMT disease and used conservative treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.125-137
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• 2020

Objectives : Charcot neuroarthropathy(CN) is condition characterized by a progressive joint deformation with sensorial and autonomic neuropathy. This study is to report a case of CN improved by Korean medical treatment. Methods : The patient's left foot with CN was treated by Shudihuangkushen-tang, Haifu-san wet dressing, acupuncture and herbal acupuncture. We evaluated the progress by laboratory investigation, radiograph and photograph comparison, visual analogue scale(VAS) of edema and pain sensation. Results : After treatment, VAS score of edema dropped from 6 to 1, of pain sensation slightly improved from 0 to 1. Average blood sugar level decreased and rebounded, but Hemoglobin A1c level improved from 9.5% to 7.7%. Improvement of the left foot was recognized from the radiograph and photograph comparison. Conclusions : This study suggests Korean medicine is effective in treating CN, especially using Shudihuangkushen-tang, Haifu-san wet dressing.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

In patients with diabetic foot, ulceration and amputation are the most serious consequences and can lead to morbidity and disability. Peripheral arterial sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, and foot deformities are major causes of foot problems. Foot deformities, following autonomic and motor neuropathy, lead to development of over-pressured focal lesions causing the diabetic foot to be easily injured within the shoe while walking. Wound healing in these patients can be difficult due to impaired phagocytic activity, malnutrition, and ischemia. Correction of deformity or shoe modification to relieve the pressure of over-pressured points is necessary for ulcer management. Application of selective dressings that allow a moist environment following complete debridement of the necrotic tissue is mandatory. In the case of a large soft tissue defect, performance of a wound coverage procedure by either a distant flap operation or a skin graft is necessary. Patients with a Charcot joint should be stabilized and consolidated into a plantigrade foot. The bony prominence of a Charcot foot can be corrected by a bumpectomy in order to prevent ulceration. The most effective management of the diabetic foot is ulcer prevention: controlling blood sugar levels and neuropathic pain, smoking cessation, stretching exercises, frequent examination of the foot, and appropriate education regarding footwear.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2015

Background : Charcot Marie Tooth disease can cause muscle weakness and foot deformity. Ankle pain induced by foot deformity affect patients' gait pattern and quality of life. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the traditional Korean medicine treatment for ankle pain induced with Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease, especially Chuna manual therapy on ankle joints. Methods : One patient was treated with acupuncture, phamacopuncture, herbal medication and chuna manual therapy on ankle joints. To evaluate the pain of ankle, lower back and lower extremity, visual analog scale(VAS) was measured. Results : After treatment for 5 week, the pain of ankle joint was declined from VAS 6 to VAS 2. Conclusions : Traditional Korean medicine treatment including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medication and Chuna manual therapy is effective for ankle pain with foot deformity. But further studies are required to prove the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy on ankle joints.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2010

Purpose: The diabetic charcot neuroarthropathy of ankle is an infrequent site (around 5%), but is definitely the location that, because of the instability and progressive deformity it involves, cause ulceration in a high percentage of patients, and this can then become a reason for amputation. However, the treatment of this disastrous disease is still challenging. We analyzed the clinical and radiological results of ankle arthrodesis by our fixation method in Charcot neuroarthropathy. Materials and Methods: Seven cases that were diagnosed as charcot neuroarthropathy of ankle arthrodesis were followed for more than 16 months postoperatively. Mean age was 57 years, and the mean follow-up period was 27 months. Anterior approach was used in arthrodesis, and internal fixation by 3 or more cannulated screws and hybrid type external fixation were used. Auto iliac bone for grafting was combined in all cases. External fixator was kept for 3 months without weight-bearing. Then, boots brace was applied for more 3 months allowing partial weight-bearing. Four cases had minor complications such as pin site infection. Preoperative and postoperative AOFAS score, time to fusion and postoperative complications were checked. Results: Postoperative fusion was completed in all cases, and the mean time to fusion was 3.4 months. No postoperative complication was checked. At the last follow-up, the mean AOFAS score had increased from 54 points to 72 points. Patient's satisfaction was over 80%. Conclusion: Satisfactory results were obtained after ankle arthrodesis using internal and hybrid type external fixation combined with auto iliac bone graft in charcot neuroarthropathy with minor complications.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2001

It has been known that the ankle arthrodesis is a common surgical procedure for treating the ankle arthrosis and deformity that do not respond to the non-operative treatment. To date, various surgical techniques for the ankle arthrodesis have been reported. Clinical and biomechanical trials have shown that the rigid internal fixation leads the increased rate of the union. The ankle arthrodesis may be complicated with the nonunion, delayed union, malunion, and infection. In cases of the Charcot joint of the ankle in diabetic patients, however, arthrodesis could reduce the disadvantage of the nonoperative treatment, such as the loss of the reduction, progressive collapse, multiple ulcerations and infection. The object of this case report is to report our experience of a successful ankle arthrodesis using an anterior T plate in treating the unstable ankle of a diabetic patient, associated with the ankle fracture and the neuropathy. The surgical approach of this technique is simple so that it would allow less soft tissue injury, and this procedure would be regarded as one alternative to provide the rigid internal fixation in the ankle arthrodesis.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.107-110
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• 2024

Neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot arthropathy) is a progressive joint disease often associated with conditions such as diabetes, leading to severe joint deformity and pain. However, its occurrence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is rare and not well documented. This case report describes a 48-year-old woman with a long history of RA who developed a severe deformity of her right ankle, identified as neuropathic arthropathy extending to the subtalar joint (Brodsky classification type 3A). After excluding other potential causes, the condition was determined to be secondary to RA-associated peripheral neuropathy. Surgery, including allograft and autograft fixation, was performed to correct the deformity. Post-operative complications, such as wound infection, were treated with negative pressure wound therapy and skin grafting. At the 18-month follow-up, the patient was able to walk without pain, demonstrating successful joint fusion.