A 55-year-old woman with a 10-year history of diabetes mellitus presents with a painless plantar ulcer under the first metatarsal head. She cannot feel a 5.07 Semmes-Weinstein monofilament. The ulcer has no signs of infection and probing does not reach bone. According to the Wagner classification, this is:

• A Wagner Grade 0
• B Wagner Grade 2
• C Wagner Grade 3
• D Wagner Grade 1 ✓

Explanation

Wagner classification: Grade 0 = pre-ulcerative callus/at risk foot; Grade 1 = superficial ulcer (does not penetrate to tendon, capsule or bone); Grade 2 = deep ulcer reaching tendon/capsule/joint; Grade 3 = deep ulcer with osteomyelitis or abscess; Grade 4 = partial gangrene; Grade 5 = whole foot gangrene. This is a full-thickness superficial ulcer not reaching deep structures — Wagner Grade 1. Treatment includes offloading (total contact casting) and wound care.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.