Neurogenic Arthropathy
(Charcot Joints; Charcot's Joints; Neuropathic Arthropathy)
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Neurogenic arthropathy results from an underlying disorder that affects the nerves, such as diabetes and stroke.
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People develop neurogenic arthropathy because they cannot feel injuries that damage their joints.
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Typical symptoms include stiffness, fluid, and pain in the joints.
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The diagnosis is based on x-rays.
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Treatment of the underlying nerve disorder, stabilization of joints and fractures, and sometimes surgery can help.
Any joint can be affected depending on where the nerve damage is located. The most commonly affected joints are
Often, only one joint is affected, and usually not more than two or three.
Causes
When certain nerves are damaged, people may become unable to sense pain. A variety of disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, spinal cord disorders (such as injuries and fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord [syringomyelia]), and syphilis, can damage these nerves. The most common causes are
People with nerve damage may injure a joint many times without noticing. Injuries may occur for years before the joint malfunctions. However, once it malfunctions, the joint may be permanently destroyed within a few months.
Symptoms
In its early stages, neurogenic arthropathy appears similar to osteoarthritis because the joints are stiff and fluid accumulates in them. Pain is a common early symptom. However, because the ability to sense pain is commonly impaired, the degree of pain is often unexpectedly mild considering the amount of joint damage. Despite this, if the disorder progresses rapidly, the joint can become extremely painful. In these cases, the joint is usually swollen because of excess fluid and abnormal bone growth. It may look deformed because it has been fractured and ligaments have stretched, allowing loose pieces of bone and cartilage to slip out of place. Moving the joint may cause a coarse, grating sound because of bone fragments floating in the joint. The joint may feel like a “bag of bones.”
Different joints are affected by different underlying disorders. For example, complications of untreated syphilis affect the knee and hip, and diabetes mellitus affects the foot and ankle. Syringomyelia commonly affects the spine and upper limb joints, especially the elbow and shoulder.
People rarely develop a second arthritis that is caused by bacteria (see Infectious Arthritis) and may or may not have the fever or general feeling of illness (malaise) that typically occurs with infectious arthritis. Infectious arthritis is particularly likely in people with diabetes.
Structures such as blood vessels, nerves, and the spinal cord can become compressed because of bony overgrowth.
Diagnosis
Doctors suspect neurogenic arthropathy when people have a disorder that affects the nerves and have typical symptoms of joint problems.
X-rays can detect joint damage, which often includes calcium deposits and abnormal bone growth, and deformities.
Prevention
Treatment
Treatment of the underlying nerve disorder can sometimes slow or even reverse joint damage. Stabilizing painless fractures and splinting unstable joints can help stop or minimize the damage.
Hip and knee joints may be surgically repaired or replaced. However, artificial joints often loosen and dislocate prematurely.
