Question: Do you recommend knee replacement in a knee that has Charcot joint?
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
A Charcot joint is a joint that has lost its pain sensation or sense of position (proprioception). The normal joint reflexes that modulate joint movement are decreased, which results in progressive cartilage damage and joint degeneration due to the loss of these protective mechanisms.
Usually the amount of pain is less than expected based on the degree of joint involvement. Sudden pain is often from small micro-fractures of bone adjacent to the joint. Since joint instability and even dislocation commonly occurs later, a joint replacement would be an excellent option as long as the underlying condition that precipitated the Charcot joint has been treated properly.