Neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot's joint) in dialysis patients

To the author's knowledge, uraemic neuropathy has not been previously reported as a cause of Charcot's joint. In this paper they present three cases in which the association between clinical and radiographic patterns suggest the diagnosis of neuropathic arthropathy. The features of uraemic neuropathy are stressed and the role of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the development of this type of arthropathy is discussed. The extremely severe hyperparathyroidism reported here, may cause tendon and ligament disease, especially at the site of their bone insertion. Uraemic tendon and ligament failures weaken joints and produce further instability, which may be a precipitating factor of uraemic Charcot's joint in patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis.