B07: Charcot Neuro-osteoarthropathy

Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy is uncommon compared with ulceration, but its consequences are severe: rocker-bottom deformity, ulceration, osteomyelitis and amputation. They are largely preventable by early treatment. The disease is most treatable when it is hardest to see, when the X-ray is normal and the only signs are unilateral heat, swelling and redness. It mimics cellulitis, gout, deep vein thrombosis and sprain, and in one cohort 63% had been misdiagnosed before referral.

The module builds one reflex: hot, swollen and neuropathic means Charcot until proven otherwise. It teaches inter-foot temperature measurement, first-line weight-bearing radiographs and when to request MRI, and the Charcot versus infection differential. It covers Eichenholtz staging including Stage 0, non-removable knee-high offloading as first treatment, monitoring to true remission before weaning, the evidence against routine bisphosphonates, educating the painless patient to sustain months of casting, and when to refer for surgical reconstruction.

Content is tiered at Foundation, Core and Advanced level, with two algorithms and case vignettes. You receive the Teaching Document, the Evidence Base, the slide deck, a narrated video and an audio overview.