Useful definitions and words to know

Charcot foot, also called neuropathic arthropathy or neuropathic osteoarthropathy, is a condition that affects the feet and ankle bones, joints and soft tissues. It makes them weaker and more prone to breaking or dislocating. If untreated, the foot collapses and becomes deformed, which can cause ulcers or other wounds.

Charcot foot is a condition that affects people with peripheral neuropathy. Because peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves of the feet, and causes a loss of sensation, people may not feel the damage until it is advanced, resulting in infections and amputation.

Making time for daily foot checks, building good habits and regular healthcare appointments can help you prevent Charcot foot.

A foot ulcer is a sore or open wound that won’t heal or keeps returning. They happen when the outer layer of your skin is damaged and the deeper tissue becomes exposed. Some people with diabetes can develop peripheral neuropathy – a complication that causes you to lose feeling in your feet and legs. This can mean you don’t notice scrapes, cuts or punctures in your feet and toes, which can lead to an ulcer forming.

Foot ulcers need to be treated straight away to avoid infection. If they aren’t treated, infections can become serious and may result in the loss of a toe, foot or leg. This is why daily foot care, regular GP check ups, and building good habits are so important to protect your feet.

Common symptoms

Early-stage symptoms:

• A patch of dry, cracked or scaly skin
• Redness or rash on your feet

Later-stage symptoms:

• A callus (thickened, hard skin) around the wound
• Signs of infection, such as drainage or fluid (may also be on your socks)
• Inflamed, red and swollen skin
• A brown discoloration or strong odour

LOPS happens when nerves are damaged. It mainly affects the nerves in the feet, but it can also affect the hands. High blood glucose levels over time can cause this nerve damage.

People who develop LOPS lose feeling in their feet and may not feel cuts, wounds, or burns. Small injuries like these can develop into ulcers, infections, and even amputations if left untreated.

Common symptoms

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Pins and needles
• Pain, especially at night

Symptoms may come on slowly, so you may not notice them at first. This is why it is important to have regular foot check ups with your GP.

Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, occurs when plaque (made of fat and cholesterol) builds up in blood vessel (artery) walls. This buildup makes it harder for blood to carry oxygen and nutrients around your body. When it affects the arteries in your legs, it can cause pain, cramps, and serious problems like ulcers and infections.

Common symptoms

• Pain or cramping in your legs when walking or exercising
• Numbness, weakness, heaviness, or tiredness in your legs
• Burning or aching pain in your feet or toes while resting, especially at night
• Feet that feel cool or cold to touch
• Redness or other colour changes in your skin
• Frequent infections or sores that don’t heal

Making time for daily foot checks, building good habits, and regular check-ups can help you catch and manage PAD symptoms early.

Peripheral neuropathy, sometimes called neuropathy, is damage to the nerves in your body. For people with diabetes, this often starts in the hands or feet (the peripheries, or outer parts of the body). It can affect other parts of the body too. Peripheral neuropathy is different from PAD, because it affects the nerves rather than the blood vessels.

Peripheral neuropathy can cause nerve pain and a loss of protective sensation (or LOPS ). This means you can’t feel injuries to your feet, which can result in ulcers.

Common symptoms

• Numbness in your hands and feet
• Tingling, or pins and needles
• Weakness, muscle twitches, cramps, or spasms
• Burning, or throbbing
• Prickly, sharp or stabbing pain that can feel like an electrical current
• Severe pain, especially at night
• Not being able to feel pain, pressure, temperature, or touch
• Loss of coordination, such as dropping things, losing your balance, or falling over
• Sweating too much or not enough, regardless of temperature or activity level

Daily foot care, regular GP check-ups, and building good habits are vital to catch foot injuries early and prevent infection and amputation.