Clinical features, radiological characteristics and offloading modalities in stage 0 Acute Charcot's neuroarthropathy - A single centre experience from South India

Abstract

Aims: Stage 0 Acute Charcot's Neuroarthropathy (ACN)in Type 2 Diabetes patients is a challenging diagnosis with subtle clinical features and normal appearing plain radiographs of the affected foot. Delay in diagnosis can lead to progression of disease and irreversible deformities. There is a paucity of data on Stage 0 ACN from India. The aim of this study was to assess clinical and radiological characteristics and treatment outcomes in Indian Type 2 Diabetes patients with Stage 0 ACN.

Materials and methods: A comparative, case-control study was carried out amongst patients attending the Integrated Diabetes Foot Clinic at a tertiary care South Indian hospital. During the 3-year study period, a total of 1811 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were screened. Of these, n = 10 patients with stage 0 ACN Charcot's arthropathy were identified based on clinical features and MRI imaging of the foot for confirmation of diagnosis. These were compared with an age and duration of diabetes-matched group of n = 50 patients without ACN as controls.

Results: Our study identified 10 patients (0.5%) with Stage 0 Acute charcot neuroarthropathy (ACN) in the study population. Those with ACN had higher BMI, poorer glycaemic control and greater degree of peripheral neuropathy (p < 0.05). Clinically relative lack of pain and infrared thermometric temperature difference >2 °C in the affected foot were the most significant findings, while MRI foot was useful in early detection of active and severe stage 0 disease. Total contact cast was the preferred initial offloading modality, with delay in initiating complete immobilization leading to worse outcomes.

Conclusions: This is the first study to highlight the characteristic features of Stage 0 ACN in Indian Type 2 Diabetes patients. Thorough clinical evaluation, infrared thermometry and radiological findigs on MRI foot leads to early disease detection. Complete offloading, preferably with total contact casts can prevent disease progression and chronic deformities.