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Neuropathic arthropathy, known as Charcot's foot, is a progressive, denervation-induced degeneration of the weightbearing joints of the foot, any patient with loss of afferent proprioceptive fibers is susceptible to this degenerative process, neuropathic arthropathy is present in approximately 10 % of patients with diabetes. There are few guidelines regarding the timing of surgery in patients with neuropathic arthropathy. In patients with active disease, surgery may be necessary to deal with significant joint dislocation or instability, or deformities that cannot be fixed, or are associated with skin breakdown or infection. In the absence of these acute problems, surgery is often postponed until the bones solidify and the inflammation is resolved. Surgery is not indicated for patients with inactive neuropathic arthropathy who have a plantigrade foot that has no wounds and is stable and bracable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]