A 48-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes presents with a hot, swollen midfoot after minor trauma. She is afebrile, white cell count and CRP are normal, plain radiographs show no fracture or dislocation, and MRI reveals marrow edema across the tarsometatarsal joints without cortical disruption. This presentation corresponds to which stage of the Eichenholtz classification of Charcot neuroarthropathy?

• A Stage 2 (coalescence)
• B Stage 1 (development)
• C Stage 0 ✓
• D Stage 3 (consolidation)

Explanation

Eichenholtz stage 0 describes the prodromal inflammatory phase in which the foot is warm and swollen but radiographs are normal; MRI showing marrow edema confirms early injury before fragmentation begins. Stage 1 is defined by visible fragmentation and debris on radiographs, stage 2 by coalescence of fragments with sclerosis, and stage 3 by consolidation and residual deformity. Recognizing stage 0 matters because strict immobilization at this point can prevent collapse.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.