Duration of off-loading and recurrence rate in Charcot osteo-arthropathy treated with less restrictive regimen with removable walker

Objective Recent literature on acute diabetic Charcot osteoarthropathy (CA) reports unusually long periods of off-loading. Data suggest that this might increase the re-currence rate. Subsequently we evaluated the influence of duration of off-loading on the risk of required re-casting. Research Design and Methods In this retrospective consecutive series from 2000 to 2005, 56 people with diabetes and an acute Charcot foot were included. The inclusion criteria were an initial persistent temperature difference more than 2°C between the two feet, oedema, and typical hot spots on a bone scintigram, radiology, and a typical clinical course. Treatment was off-loading in a removable cast and 2 crutches. In-door walking was allowed. Gradually augmented weight bearing was prescribed when the skin temperature difference had decreased to a level less than 2°C and edema had subsided. Re-casting was required for immediate exacerbation during re-load as well as for recurrence — defined as new swelling and skin temperature difference of more than 2°C in the same foot occurring after a stable interval of at least one month after full weight bearing. Results The duration of off-loading for all patients was 141±21days (mean±SD). Three patients (5%) were re-casted immediately for exacerbation after re-load and 7 patients (12 %) after recurrence of the CA. Duration of re-casting was 79±44days. The primary period of off-loading was not statistically significantly different for those not requiring versus those requiring re-casting: 142±24days compared to 134±41days. Neither were the differences in demographic data, metabolic regulation, BMI or localization of CA. Conclusions Patients with risk of exacerbation or recurrence of CA could not be identified in the present study and there was no relation to the duration of off-loading. Nevertheless off-loading periods with immobilisation should be kept as short as possible, due to other side effects. This can be obtained by early gradual augmented re-loading.