Open AccessDiabetic foot disease: From the evaluation of the “foot at risk” to the novel diabetic ulcer treatment modalities
Author(s) -
Noha Gaber Amin,
John Doupis
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
world journal of diabetes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1948-9358
DOI - 10.4239/wjd.v7.i7.153
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetic foot , foot (prosody) , amputation , diabetic foot ulcer , modalities , diabetes mellitus , peripheral neuropathy , surgery , revascularization , debridement (dental) , disease , sociology , myocardial infarction , endocrinology , social science , philosophy , linguistics
The burden of diabetic foot disease (DFD) is expected to increase in the future. The incidence of DFD is still rising due to the high prevalence of DFD predisposing factors. DFD is multifactorial in nature; however most of the diabetic foot amputations are preceded by foot ulceration. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a major risk factor for foot ulceration. DPN leads to loss of protective sensation resulting in continuous unconscious traumas. Patient education and detection of high risk foot are essential for the prevention of foot ulceration and amputation. Proper assessment of the diabetic foot ulceration and appropriate management ensure better prognosis. Management is based on revascularization procedures, wound debridement, treatment of infection and ulcer offloading. Management and type of dressing applied are tailored according to the type of wound and the foot condition. The scope of this review paper is to describe the diabetic foot syndrome starting from the evaluation of the foot at risk for ulceration, up to the new treatment modalities.