Charcot joint
Updates to Synonym Attributes
Title
was changed:
Updates to Article Attributes
Body
was changed:
Charcot joint (also known as a neuropathic or neurotrophic joint) refers to a progressive degenerative/destructive joint disorder in patients with abnormal pain sensation and proprioception.
Epidemiology
In modern westernWestern societies by far the most common cause of Charcot joints is diabetes, and therefore the demographics of patients matches those of older diabetics. These can be recalled withPrevalence differs depending on the "S" mnemonic. Causes include
-
diabetes~0.1% in general diabetic population -
syphilis steroid usesyringomyeliaspinal cord injuryspina bifidasclerodermaleprosy
These can be recalled using the mnemonic DS61. The involved joint is highly suggestive of the aetiology:
-
wrist: diabetes,syringomyelia -
hip: alcohol,tabes dorsalis -
knee:tabes dorsalis, congenital insensitivity to pain ankle and foot: diabetes-
spine: spinal cord injury, diabetes,tabes dorsalis~30% in patients with peripheral neuropathy
Clinical presentation
Patients typically present insidiously or are identified incidentally or as a result of investigation for deformity. Unlike septic arthritis, Charcot joints although swollen are normal temperature without elevated inflammatory markers. Importantly they are painless.
Pathology
TwoThere are two forms exist -of Charcot joint: atrophic and hypertrophic. Charcot joints are typically unilateral but are bilateral in ~20% (range 5.9-39.3%) of cases 10.
The pathogenesis of a Charcot joint is thought to be an inflammatory response from a minor injury that results in osteolysis. In the setting of peripheral neuropathy both the initial insult and inflammatory response is not well appreciated, allowing ongoing inflammation and injury 10.
Atrophic form
- most common form 1
- occurs earlier 2
- has an acute progression
- characterised by reabsorption of the ends of the affected bone
- joint destruction with resorption of fragments
- absence of osteosclerosis and osteophytes
- mainly occurs on non weight bearing joints of the upper limb 1
Hypertrophic form
- only sensory nerves affected
- slow progression
- joint destruction with periarticular debris/bone fragmentation
- initially widened then narrowed joint space
- presence of osteosclerosis and osteophytes 1
- absence of osteoporosis (unless joint is infected) 3
Aetiology
- diabetes (most common)
- leprosy
- multiple sclerosis
- poliomyelitis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- tertiary syphilis
- steroid use
- syringomyelia
- spinal cord injury
- spina bifida
- scleroderma
These can be recalled with the "S" mnemonic.
Location
The involved joint is highly suggestive of the aetiology:
- wrist: diabetes, syringomyelia
- hip: alcohol, tabes dorsalis
- knee: tabes dorsalis, congenital insensitivity to pain
- ankle and foot: diabetes
- spine: spinal cord injury, diabetes, tabes dorsalis
These can be recalled using the mnemonic DS61.
Radiographic features
Mnemonic: 6 Ds 1
- dense bones (subchondral sclerosis)
- degeneration
- destruction of articular cartilage
- deformity (pencil-point deformity of metatarsal heads)
- debris (loose bodies)
- dislocation
Differential diagnosis
Imaging differential considerations include
- advanced osteomyelitis: can co-exist (especially in the foot) 4-5
- tuberculous spondylitis / Pott's disease (in the spine)
- chondrosarcoma (shoulder): chondroid matrix instead of bony debris
- inflammatory osteoarthritis/arthritis: early stages can resemble Charcot
's jointjoint
History and etymology
Jean-Martin Charcot was the first person to give a detailed description of the neuropathic aspect of this condition in 1868 in a patient suffering syphilis.
-<p><strong>Charcot joint</strong> (also known as a <strong>neurotrophic joint</strong>) refers to a progressive degenerative/destructive joint disorder in patients with abnormal pain sensation and proprioception.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>In modern western societies by far the most common cause of Charcot joints is diabetes, and therefore the demographics of patients matches those of older diabetics. These can be recalled with the <a href="/articles/charcot-causes-mnemonic">"S" mnemonic</a>. Causes include: </p><ul>-<li>diabetes</li>-<li><a href="/articles/syphilis">syphilis</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/syphilis">steroid use</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/syringomyelia">syringomyelia</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/spinal-cord-injury">spinal cord injury</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/spina-bifida">spina bifida</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/scleroderma">scleroderma</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/leprosy">leprosy</a></li>-</ul><p>These can be recalled using the mnemonic <a href="/articles/features-of-a-charcot-joint-mnemonic">DS6</a> <sup>1</sup>. The involved joint is highly suggestive of the aetiology: </p><ul>-<li>wrist: diabetes, <a href="/articles/syringomyelia">syringomyelia</a>-</li>-<li>hip: alcohol, <a href="/articles/tabes-dorsalis">tabes dorsalis</a>-</li>-<li>knee: <a href="/articles/tabes-dorsalis">tabes dorsalis</a>, congenital insensitivity to pain</li>-<li>ankle and foot: diabetes</li>-<li>spine: spinal cord injury, diabetes, <a href="/articles/tabes-dorsalis">tabes dorsalis</a>-</li>-</ul><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Patients typically present insidiously or are identified incidentally or as a result of investigation for deformity. Unlike septic arthritis, Charcot joints although swollen are normal temperature without elevated inflammatory markers. Importantly they are painless. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Two forms exist - atrophic and hypertrophic. </p><h6>Atrophic form</h6><ul>- +<p><strong>Charcot joint</strong> (also known as a <strong>neuropathic</strong> or <strong>neurotrophic joint</strong>) refers to a progressive degenerative/destructive joint disorder in patients with abnormal pain sensation and proprioception.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>In modern Western societies by far the most common cause of Charcot joints is diabetes, and therefore the demographics of patients matches those of older diabetics. Prevalence differs depending on the severity of diabetes <sup>10</sup>:</p><ul>
- +<li>~0.1% in general diabetic population</li>
- +<li>~15% in high-risk diabetic population</li>
- +<li>~30% in patients with peripheral neuropathy</li>
- +</ul><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Patients typically present insidiously or are identified incidentally or as a result of investigation for deformity. Unlike septic arthritis, Charcot joints although swollen are normal temperature without elevated inflammatory markers. Importantly they are painless. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>There are two forms of Charcot joint: atrophic and hypertrophic. Charcot joints are typically unilateral but are bilateral in ~20% (range 5.9-39.3%) of cases <sup>10</sup>. </p><p>The pathogenesis of a Charcot joint is thought to be an inflammatory response from a minor injury that results in osteolysis. In the setting of peripheral neuropathy both the initial insult and inflammatory response is not well appreciated, allowing ongoing inflammation and injury <sup>10</sup>.</p><h6>Atrophic form</h6><ul>
-</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p><strong>Mnemonic</strong>: <a href="/articles/6-ds">6 Ds</a> <sup>1</sup></p><ul>- +</ul><h5>Aetiology</h5><ul>
- +<li>diabetes (most common)</li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/leprosy">leprosy</a></li>
- +<li><a title="Multiple sclerosis" href="/articles/multiple-sclerosis">multiple sclerosis</a></li>
- +<li><a title="Poliomyelitis" href="/articles/poliomyelitis">poliomyelitis</a></li>
- +<li><a title="Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)" href="/articles/rheumatoid-arthritis">rheumatoid arthritis</a></li>
- +<li>tertiary <a href="/articles/syphilis">syphilis</a>
- +</li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/syphilis">steroid use</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/syringomyelia">syringomyelia</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/spinal-cord-injury">spinal cord injury</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/spina-bifida">spina bifida</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/scleroderma">scleroderma</a></li>
- +</ul><p>These can be recalled with the <a href="/articles/charcot-joint-causes-mnemonic">"S" mnemonic</a>. </p><h5>Location</h5><p>The involved joint is highly suggestive of the aetiology: </p><ul>
- +<li>wrist: diabetes, <a href="/articles/syringomyelia">syringomyelia</a>
- +</li>
- +<li>hip: alcohol, <a href="/articles/tabes-dorsalis">tabes dorsalis</a>
- +</li>
- +<li>knee: <a href="/articles/tabes-dorsalis">tabes dorsalis</a>, congenital insensitivity to pain</li>
- +<li>ankle and foot: diabetes</li>
- +<li>spine: spinal cord injury, diabetes, <a href="/articles/tabes-dorsalis">tabes dorsalis</a>
- +</li>
- +</ul><p>These can be recalled using the mnemonic <a href="/articles/features-of-a-charcot-joint-mnemonic">DS6</a> <sup>1</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p><strong>Mnemonic</strong>: <a href="/articles/6-ds">6 Ds</a> <sup>1</sup></p><ul>
-<li>inflammatory <a href="/articles/osteoarthritis">osteoarthritis</a>/arthritis: early stages can resemble Charcot's joint</li>- +<li>inflammatory <a href="/articles/osteoarthritis">osteoarthritis</a>/arthritis: early stages can resemble Charcot joint</li>
References changed:
- 1. Mautone M & Naidoo P. What the Radiologist Needs to Know About Charcot Foot. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol. 2015;59(4):395-402. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/1754-9485.12325">doi:10.1111/1754-9485.12325</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26041322">Pubmed</a>
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.