Imaging of neuropathic arthropathy.

Neuropathic arthropathy is a chronic, progressive joint degeneration with bone fragmentation, ligamentous instability, and dislocation. Diabetes is the leading cause of neuropathic arthropathy. Conventional radiography is the most commonly used imaging modality for diagnosing neuropathic arthropathy. The disease is mostly the hypertrophic type and is manifested by sclerosis of the bone, fragmentation, joint destruction, swelling, large joint effusion, and large osteophyte formation. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and radionucleide scintigraphy are helpful for diagnosing the disease and may help in distinguishing neuropathic arthropathy from septic arthritis and osteomyelitis.