[Full contact plaster cast for conservative treatment of Charcot foot].

Background: The gold standard for treatment of early stages of Charcot foot are immobilization with a full contact plaster cast, whereby different periods and loading concepts are described in the literature.

Objectives: The etiology, disease course and preparation for an early conservative therapy are described and a key point is a full contact plaster cast.

Methods: An overview of the etiology, pathogenesis and indications for correct evaluation of the wound situation is given. The correct technique for the total cast is described and illustrated step by step with pictures.

Results: If treatment of Charcot foot is initiated in the early stages prevention or healing of ulcers can be achieved; therefore, the correct indications and technique are necessary and the cast should be changed periodically which is a key point of the healing process. Healing results in a reduction of redness, temperature and swelling which should be measured and documented.

Conclusions: Treatment of Charcot foot by full contact cast and immobilization should be initiated as soon as possible.