Rate of Developing Charcot Arthropathy Following Ankle Injuries in Patients with Diabetes: A Two-Year Follow-up

Background Charcot arthropathy is an ankle injury complication most commonly seen in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to assess Charcot arthropathy prevalence and its associated risk factors among patients with diabetes with ankle injuries. Methods Data were collected from the medical records of patients with diabetes with ankle injuries managed at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, from April 2015 to April 2020. Recorded data included baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, management approaches, and complications. Results In total, 314 patients with diabetes with ankle injuries were included. Most patients were female (n = 192, 61.1%), with an average age of 55.67 years old. The mean body mass index was 32.91 kg/m2. The prevalence of Charcot arthropathy was 4.1%. HbA1C levels (odds ratio = 1.75, p = 0.023) and co-existing injury complications (odds ratio = 105.408, p = 0.001) were found to be significant predictors of Charcot arthropathy. The mean time for developing Charcot after an ankle injury was 10.62 months. Of the 317 injured ankles, most were managed non-operatively (n = 257, 81.1%), while only 60 (18.9) were managed operatively. Conclusion High HbA1c levels and co-existing injuries were significant predictors of Charcot arthropathy and showed strong associations with its development in patients with diabetes with ankle injuries.