Local wound care in diabetic foot complications. Aggressive risk management and ulcer treatment to avoid amputation.
Techniques to prevent and treat lower extremity amputation in patients with diabetes vary from simple foot inspection to complicated vascular and reconstructive surgery. Early identification of risk factors, careful and regular evaluation, and aggressive treatment in a multidisciplinary team approach prevent amputation in most cases of diabetic foot ulcer. Suitable treatment of these ulcers consists of minimizing pressure, resolving infection, correcting ischemia, and maintaining a warm, moist, clean environment to enhance wound healing. Success in these efforts not only preserves quality of life for diabetic patients but also saves money for the healthcare system.
Carolina Podiatry Associates, Florence, South Carolina 29505, USA. jmamem@aol.com
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D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D003646:Debridement; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications* / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011312:Pressure; D012307:Risk Factors