title: Conservative and Pharmacologic Treatments for the Diabetic Charcot Foot.
abstract: Charcot neuroarthropathy is a disabling complication of diabetic neuropathy. Prolonged immobilization in a total contact cast (TCC) is among the main treatments. Education of health care professionals in the application of TCC together with well-conducted clinical trials are required to overcome its frequent underuse. There are no established pharmacologic therapies to treat this condition; however, there is an overwhelming need for a new therapeutic approach. Novel targeted drug delivery systems are required to prevent the pathologic bone and joint destruction of the Charcot neuroarthropathy and this may lead to an improved outcome in diabetic patients with this condition.
authors.affiliation: Diabetic Foot Clinic, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK. Electronic address: petrovanl@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Nina L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Petrova
authors.affiliation: Diabetic Foot Clinic, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Edmonds
mesh_terms: D001177:Arthropathy, Neurogenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D033023:Foot Joints; D006801:Humans
keywords: Casting therapy; Charcot neuroarthropathy; Diabetes mellitus; Disease activity; MRI