Charcot neuroarthropathy is a group of inherited neuropathies. Neuropathies are conditions that damage the nerves in some parts of the body. Neuroarthropathy can affect any organ system but is more common in the peripheral nerves of the body. These nerves conduct impulses from the brain to different parts of the body. In Charcot neuroarthropathy, the nerve impulses are affected, and the result is painful muscle and limb weakness.
Why the diagnosis of Charcot neuroarthropathy is difficult?
The diagnosis of Charcot neuroarthropathy can be difficult because it has a combination of symptoms that resemble many other diseases. The first step is to do a physical examination. The doctor needs to do a thorough workup of the nerve roots. A lumbar puncture is done to check for the existence of cysts. Other diagnostic methods such as computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound may be used to locate the affected nerve.
Once the root is identified, treatment is determined by symptom and cause. If there is a cerebrovascular accident, there is no treatment required. If there is nerve damage, treatment will depend on how far the nerve has been damaged. For severe neuroarthropathy, complete paralysis or even death can be the result of treatment.
What does Charcot neuroarthropathy involve?
One type of Charcot neuroarthropathy involves myelination, where myelin is the process by which nerves are prepared to receive signals from the brain. When myelination is lost, the communication from the brain is broken down. This neuroarthropathy can result in a reduction in communication between the nervous tissue and muscles. In Charcot’s neuroarthropathy, this loss is typically only one-third or less, rather than a complete loss.
There are four major classes of treatments used to treat Charcot neuroarthropathy. These include systemic medications, local anesthetics and regional steroid injections. Some of these drugs have a delayed action. They act in the system over several days before causing the symptoms of peripheral neuroarthropathy. Once the initial effect begins, systemic medication is taken for the rest of the patient’s life.
The use of local anesthetics
Local anesthetics are used to relieve pain, and if the nerve is damaged, they reduce the amount of pain that the nerve can produce. Systemic steroids are injected into the affected nerve, either orally or systemically. The steroids break down the proteins that protect the nerve and other tissues. This type of treatment is most commonly used for people who have peripheral neuroarthropathy, such as diabetes.
There are many different types of exercises that a patient with Charcot neuroarthropathy can do to prevent losing motor function. This depends on the severity of the nerve injury, and the time since the injury occurred. A patient with severe neuroarthropathy should consult a doctor before starting any exercise plan. This plan may include physical therapy, swimming, walking, and exercise to maintain normal muscle strength. It is important for patients to keep moving in order to prevent atrophy of muscle tissue and flexibility.
Understand the treatment of Charcot Neuroarthropathy
The treatment for Charcot neuroarthropathy usually involves a person losing weight, avoiding diabetes, and making sure their weight stays within the recommended limits. Exercise and diet control can also help the nerve to heal and control the symptoms. If the numbness and pain do not reduce, surgery may be necessary to correct the root of the problem. This surgery, called a root canal, corrects the problem by cleaning out the damaged nerve roots. This surgery has a high rate of success, but it is often costly and requires repeated procedures.
How one can manage to live with the symptoms?
Charcot neuroarthropathy is not a curable illness, but the symptoms can be managed to allow a person to live a normal life. It is possible to prevent further damage to the nerve by taking the proper diet, exercise, and avoiding stressful situations. By monitoring the symptoms and the severity of the disease, the right treatment plan can be worked out for each patient. Because this neuroarthropathy affects the central nervous system, it can affect many areas of a person’s life, so it is important to talk to a medical professional if the symptoms persist.
Symptoms of Charcot neuroarthropathy include numbness, extreme pain, leg weakness, and trouble getting up after sitting for a while. In some cases, the pain comes and goes. This can be caused by muscle damage caused by the disease, or by damage caused by diabetes. The numbness, pain, and inability to move can also be due to infections around the nerve root or in the brain.
If you think you may have Charcot neuroarthropathy, seek treatment as soon as possible. Neuroarthropathy can have many complications, including amputation of the foot, and it can be life-threatening if it is not treated properly. Early symptoms can be difficult to diagnose, so early treatment can allow the condition to be controlled or even eliminated. If you have any of the symptoms, speak to your doctor right away for more information. If you are looking for your options to get Charcot neuroarthropathy then you can simply log in to websites like lermagazine.com.
