Why is it important to look into it?
While statistics are most well defined in the diabetic patient with Charcot joint patients with immunoglobulin dysfunction, end-stage renal disease, chronic alcohol abuse, among others, can be afflicted by this debilitating destructive process of bone and joint. The prevalence of neuropathy in patients with diabetes is reportedly 7 times higher than in patients without diabetes.
The common denominator among those with Charcot's joint is autonomic dysfunction with diabetes being the most likely culprit for that condition.
Here are other references from Dr. Judges work on Charcot and Diabetic Foot
Schnirring-Judge, MA: Utility of Nuclear Medicine Imaging in the Diabetic Foot in
Surgical Reconstruction of the Diabetic Lower Extremity edited by Thomas Zgonis, Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2009
Judge, MS and Malay DS: Infection and Neuroarthropathy:
The Utility of C-Reactive Protein as a Screening Tool in The Charcot Foot, JAPMA 2008 Vol 98;1:1-6.
Judge, MS: Utility of Nulcear Medicine Leukocyte Imaging in the Differential Diagnosis of
Bone and Joint Infections in the Lower Extremity; An Academic Review. Foot and Ankle Quarterly, Data Trace Publications Vol. 16, No. 2, 2004
● A Closer Look At Redefining Charcot August 2006
● Using Serologic Screening To Identify And Monitor At-Risk Charcot Patients August 2004
● A Closer Look At Nuclear Medical Imaging Sep 2004
● Point-Counterpoint: Active Charcot: Should You Proceed With Surgery? Mar 2005