a charcot foot in either its acute inflammatory or chronic bony deformity stage requires follow up by a skilled foot care specialist or orthopedic surgeon.
patients with an acute charcot foot often present with a red, warm foot with pounding pulses, and frequently give a history of minor injury to their foot or ankle a few days before. despite the foot's horrific appearance, the patient may only report minor discomfort. conversely, the patient may be surprised how painful their previously insensate foot is. because an acute charcot foot clinically mimics cellulitis, an infective process must first be ruled out.
