Charcot’s foot: a clinical update for emergency nurses
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

Charcot’s foot: a clinical update for emergency nurses

Juan Manuel González Assistant Professor of Clinical, director of family nurse practitioner program, School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, US
Johis Ortega Associate Professor of Clinical, associate dean of global health, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, US
Catherine Nadeau Part-time Lecturer, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, US
Lila de Tantillo Assistant Professor, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida, US
Stephen McGhee Associate Professor of Clinical, associate dean for nursing undergraduate programs, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, US

Why you should read this article:
  • To understand the factors that contribute to the development of Charcot’s foot in patients with diabetes mellitus

  • To recognise the signs and symptoms of acute Charcot’s foot on presentation to an emergency department

  • To improve your knowledge of the treatment options available for patients with Charcot’s foot

Charcot neuropathy osteoarthropathy, known as Charcot’s foot, is a condition of the foot most frequently related to diabetes mellitus. It is associated with a high mortality rate, especially among patients with diabetes, therefore prompt identification and management of the condition by nurses in emergency departments is important.

This article describes the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms and diagnosis of Charcot’s foot, and offers guidance for initial care in emergency settings. Emergency nurses in the UK have an important role in recognising patients with this condition to ensure they receive optimal treatment and follow-up.

Emergency Nurse. doi: 10.7748/en.2020.e2016

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software

Correspondence

j.gonzalez48@miami.edu

Conflict of interest

None declared

González JM, Ortega J, Nadeau C et al (2020) Charcot’s foot: a clinical update for emergency nurses. Emergency Nurse. doi: 10.7748/en.2020.e2016

Accepted 26 November 2019

Published online: 07 April 2020

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