Wagner classification (diabetic foot)
Endocrinology
Also known as: Wagner-Klassifikation des diabetischen Fußes · Wagner diyabetik ayak sınıflaması · Wagner (Meggitt–Wagner) classification of diabetic foot ulcers, grades 0–5
What it is for
Grades diabetic foot lesions mainly by depth of tissue involvement, with gangrene in the top two grades.
Classification
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Grade 0 | no open lesion: intact skin (pre- or post-ulcerative lesion). |
| Grade 1 | superficial ulcer. |
| Grade 2 | deep ulcer reaching tendon or joint capsule, without abscess or osteomyelitis. |
| Grade 3 | deep ulcer with abscess, osteomyelitis or joint sepsis. |
| Grade 4 | localised gangrene (toes, forefoot or heel). |
| Grade 5 | gangrene of the whole foot. |
Source
The dysvascular foot: a system for diagnosis and treatment
Foot Ankle 1981;2:64–122 (Wagner FW Jr)
DOI: 10.1177/107110078100200202
PMID: 7319435
- Edition
- Wagner 1981 (Meggitt 1976); depth-based, no ischaemia or infection axis
- Checked on
Summary of the published classification in our own words. Not a substitute for the original publication.
A question about this classification?
Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines and studies – every statement with its source.
More classifications: Endocrinology
- Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC 2023)
- Clinical Activity Score (Graves' orbitopathy)
- Diabetes diagnostic criteria (ADA 2026)
- DKA diagnostic criteria (2024 consensus)
- Gestational diabetes diagnostic criteria (IADPSG)
- Hypoglycemia levels 1–3
- University of Texas wound classification
- WHO BMI classification