A 50-year-old woman with long-standing type 2 diabetes presents with progressive flattening of the medial arch and painless plantar midfoot prominence. She has lost protective sensation. X-ray shows dislocation of the talonavicular joint with lateral peritalar subluxation. This describes which stage of Charcot neuroarthropathy according to the Eichenholtz classification?

• A Stage I (Development/Fragmentation) ✓
• B Stage 0 (Prodromal)
• C Stage II (Coalescence)
• D Stage III (Reconstruction/Consolidation)

Explanation

Eichenholtz Stage I (development/fragmentation) is characterized by acute inflammation, joint dislocations, periarticular fractures, and osseous fragmentation on imaging. The talonavicular dislocation with peritalar subluxation in a neuropathic foot is classic for this stage. Stage 0 has soft tissue swelling without bony changes. Stage II shows coalescence with absorption of debris. Stage III shows consolidation and fusion.

Reference: Browner, Jupiter, Krettek, and Anderson's Skeletal Trauma, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.