Diabetic osteopathy of the foot and ankle.

Neuropathic osteopathy of the foot and ankle is almost always due to underlying diabetes mellitus. The "Charcot joint," or destructive type, affects the ankle or tarsal area, and the "bone absorption," or mutilating type, usually affects the forefoot. If both types are present in the feet, it is almost certain that the patient is a diabetic. While these findings are usually seen in patients with long-standing, poorly controlled diabetes, they may be the first indication of diabetes.