Neuropathic Arthropathy Red Arrows: Fragmentation of the metatarsal bases Green Arrow: Widening of the Lisfranc joint commonly seen in neuropathic arthropathy Yellow Arrow: Diffuse soft tissue swelling without ulcer
Neuropathic Arthropathy Fragmentation of the metatarsal bases with destruction of the midfoot joints and associated effusion
Neuropathic Arthropathy Diffuse soft tissue swelling without an ulcer. Constellation of findings (soft tissue swelling, no ulcer, joint disorganization and bone fragmentation) characteristic of neuropathic arthropathy.
Osteomyelitis Yellow Arrow: Destruction of fifth metatarsal base with adjacent soft tissue ulcer Green Arrow: Much less soft tissue swelling than neuropathy case
Osteomyelitis Edema centered within the cuboid bone itself (vs. the joint-centered edema and destruction in the neuropathy case)
Osteomyelitis Large soft tissue ulcer in continuity with cuboid bone marrow edema and destruction, diagnostic of osteomyelitis on MRI. In the radiology of diabetic feet, no ulcer=no osteomyelitis.