Is Charcot Deformity Hereditary?

 The daily workload of your feet is higher than that of every other part of your body, so they’re structured in such a way that they're able to easily cope. The multiple bones, joints, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments work in unison to form a solid base for activities such as strolling, jogging, and every other upright task.

Aching feet and other problems are things we all deal with at some point, but many foot conditions can compromise your ability to walk. Charcot deformity is one of the more severe conditions, with complications that can destroy the foot's structure and lead to infections and other critical problems affecting upright and functional mobility. However, of the numerous causes that can lead to this condition, are there any risk factors based on your genetics?

Drs. Glenn Beede and Gregory Jaryga, along with the medical staff at Trinity Foot & Ankle Specialists, have years of experience helping Fort Worth and Weatherford, Texas, residents manage foot problems. They can assist you in coping with Charcot deformity.

What is Charcot deformity?

Several names, including Charcot neuropathy, Charcot arthropathy, and diabetes-related Charcot foot, describe this rare condition. It occurs when the bones, nerves, and musculoskeletal tissue in the feet become damaged and fail to heal correctly. This eventually causes feet to become misshapen and lead to joint collapse, which can permanently affect how you perform any activity while standing. Worse, infections and ulcers are also common with this condition, and over time, the damage to your feet can spread the disease throughout the body, leading to possible amputation. 

Diabetes is a condition known to damage nerves in the feet and can lead to this, but other risk factors include obesity, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), kidney disease, and hypertension.

What are the stages?

The signs of this condition depend on which part of the three stages it occurs in:

Fragmentation

The initial phase of Charcot deformity begins with warmth, redness, and swelling. As the bones are destroyed, protrusions and flattening appear on the bottom of the foot. Untreated, this stage can persist for up to a year.

Coalescence

As the foot tries to heal itself, more warmth, swelling, and redness occur, though the amount is reduced as the destruction of the bones and joints stops.

Reconstruction

The foot is healed at this point, but the damage done means it will never return to its original shape.  This leaves the feet unstable, misshapen, and prone to infection and ulcers.

Can heredity cause it to happen?

If family genetics are playing a role in developing this foot problem, then it’s likely due to a group of conditions known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, or CMT. CMT affects the function of peripheral nerves and often triggers muscle control issues in your hands and feet. It frequently occurs during your teens and is usually passed down from one or both parents. It increases the risk of Charcot deformity and other foot problems as it progresses.

Charcot deformity can be treated, and our options for helping you recover depend on the severity of your condition. This foot illness can cause significant damage without treatment, so make an appointment with Drs. Beede, Jaryga, and Trinity Foot & Ankle today to get on the road to recovery.