A 60-year-old man with diabetes mellitus presents with painless, swollen right ankle joint. Radiographs of the ankle show destroyed joint with a large number of loose bodies. The most probable diagnosis is -: (A) Charcot's joint, (B) Clutton's joint, (C) Osteoarthritis, (D) Rheumatoid arthritis
Answer is A. Painless swollen ankle, destroyed joint and multiple loose bodies in a diabetic patient suggest the diagnosis of Charcot’s joint (neuropathic joint).
Joint destruction without pain is characteristic of Charcot’s joint.