A patient with diabetes presents with redness and swelling of his foot. You are uncertain whether it is Charcot arthropathy or an infection. Which test could help in your diagnosis?

Author: Dimitar Popov
Orthopedics and Trauma
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A patient with diabetes presents with redness and swelling of his foot. You are uncertain whether it is Charcot arthropathy or an infection. Which test could help in your diagnosis?

A: Measure blood glucose levels

B: Elevate the foot

C: Conduct a skin biopsy

D: Perform a reflex test

E: Apply a topical antibiotic and observe the response

The correct answer is B. In Charcot arthropathy, elevation reduces redness and swelling by decreasing blood flow. Conversely, in an infection, these symptoms usually persist even after elevation, as they are caused by inflammation that is not significantly affected by changes in positioning.

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A patient with diabetes presents with redness and swelling of his foot. You are uncertain whether it is Charcot arthropathy or an infection. Which test could help in your diagnosis?

A patient with diabetes presents with redness and swelling of his foot. You are uncertain whether it is Charcot arthropathy or an infection. Which test could help in your diagnosis?

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