In neuropathic arthropathies of the feet there is a history of one or more of the following conditions: diabetes, syphilis, nerve and spinal defects, birth defects (idiopathic myelodysplasia), trauma, alcoholism, syringomyelia, leprosy, poliomyelitis, and peripheral nerve disorders. The diabetic form of neuropathic arthropathies of the feet has been brought to the attention of the general practitioner, the internist, and the orthopedic surgeon with increasing frequency. Whereas tabes of syphilitic origin was formerly the usual cause of these painless deformities of the feet, with complicating soft tissue infections, ulcers, and osteomyelitis, the diabetic neuropathic foot is now showing the higher incidence. Perhaps there is greater alertness in recognition. Certainly there must be a correlation with the higher incidence of diabetes generally, coupled with poor public awareness of the possible consequences of neglect.
At the same time that reports on this diabetic foot disability are appearing more frequently, there have been noticeably