Diabetes and Charcot neuroarthropathy: pathophysiology

This chapter presents an in-depth analysis of the pathophysiology of diabetes. The diabetes-induced peripheral neuropathy is discussed with its manifestations. The concepts of symmetrical and asymmetrical peripheral neuropathy are also discussed. The metabolic syndrome and its definition and clinical characteristics are largely discussed. The pathogenesis and prevalence of Charcot neuroarthropathy in diabetic patients are revisited. Many conditions that influence the advent of Charcot are reviewed in this chapter. The frequent complications associated with Charcot neuroarthropathy seen in radiology are illustrated with MR images. Some nondiabetic conditions producing Charcot neuroarthropathy are briefly reviewed at the end of the chapter.