Total Knee Arthroplasty in Two Female Patients with Type 1 Diabetes- Associated Charcot Neuroarthropathy: Case Reports and a Review of the Literature Series

Abstract Charcot neuroarthropathy, a rare musculoskeletal disorder resulting from peripheral neuropathy.This systemic disease primarily affects the forefoot and ankle joints in diabetic patients, with type 1 diabetes cases being less frequent than type 2. The condition often leads to high disability and mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis and the absence of distinctive pathophysiological features. Knee joint Charcot neuroarthropathy, particularly in type 1 diabetes, is uncommonly reported due to the lack of standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols, notably in knee arthroplasty, which exhibits significant outcome variability. This article discusses two female type 1 diabetes patients with knee joint Charcot neuroarthropathy, characterized by poor blood sugar control, high blood glucose levels (over 20mmol/L), and elevated glycated hemoglobin. Both underwent total knee arthroplasty; one also received autologous bone grafting with titanium mesh screw fixation. The paper also reviews relevant literature.