Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Diabetic Charcot Arthropathy Presenting to Orthopaedic Clinics in Northern Nigeria

Charcot neuroarthropathy is a serious and underdiagnosed complication of diabetic peripheral neuropathy characterised by progressive bone and joint destruction in the foot and ankle. Its prevalence in Nigerian diabetic populations is unknown, and awareness among orthopaedic clinicians remains variable. This multicentre cross-sectional study estimates the prevalence of Charcot arthropathy and characterises its clinical profile among diabetic patients attending orthopaedic clinics at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, and Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, North West Nigeria, and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, North East Nigeria. A structured clinical assessment combining Eichenholtz staging, plain radiography, and validated peripheral neuropathy screening (Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument) will be conducted. Data on diabetes duration, glycaemic control (HbA1c), footwear use, and prior ulceration will be captured. Descriptive epidemiology and multinomial logistic regression will characterise risk patterns. The study hypothesises that delayed diagnosis at Eichenholtz stage II or III constitutes more than 60 percent of presentations. Findings will be reported to diabetology and orthopaedic departments at all participating sites to support development of a Charcot arthropathy screening protocol for diabetic foot clinics in northern Nigeria. Keywords: Charcot arthropathy, diabetic neuropathy, Eichenholtz staging, orthopaedic clinics, northern Nigeria.