On Diabetic Osteopathy: A Radiographic Study of 21 Patients

Twenty-one diabetic patients with anesthetic peripheral neuropathy who never suffered a foot infection or local ulceration had roentgenograms of both feet to seek whether osseous changes characteristic of diabetic osteopathy were present. We found nine patients with vascular calcification (all 21 patients had palpable pedal pulses); four patients with ancient fractures; one patient with two phalangeal erosions; and two patients with equivocal osseous cystic lesions. No patient had findings typical of diabetic osteopathy. From this study, plus experience with other diabetic patients who had infected, ulcerated feet, we conclude that diabetic osteopathy represents healing or healed lesions of local osteomyelitis.