Review Article

Charcot Neuropathic Arthropathy of the Foot: A Literature Review and Single-Center Experience

Table 2

Classification of CN based upon MR imaging. Source: [5].

StageSeverity grade
Low severity: grade 0 (without cortical fracture)High severity: grade 1 (with cortical fracture)

Active arthropathy (acute stage)Mild inflammation/soft tissue oedemaSevere inflammation/soft tissue oedema
No skeletal deformitySevere skeletal deformity
X-ray: normalX-ray: abnormal
MRI: abnormal (bone marrow oedema, microfractures, bone bruise)MRI: abnormal (bone marrow oedema, macrofractures, bone bruise)

Inactive arthropathy (becalmed stage) No inflammationNo inflammation
No skeletal deformitySevere skeletal deformity
X-ray: normalX-ray: abnormal (past macrofractures)
MRI: no significant bone marrow oedemaMRI: no significant bone marrow oedema