Diabetic foot wound care algorithms.
The purpose of this article is to present reference guidelines to assist clinicians when treating diabetic patients with foot wounds. Diabetic patients with limb-threatening foot ulcers often have multiple coexisting medical conditions that frequently become impediments to the resolution of foot wounds. Each foot wound is unique and its etiology is multifactorial; therefore, each foot wound should be managed differently. The treatment algorithm presented in this article is divided into three categories: Algorithm I describes the treatment of septic foot wounds, which may be considered true podiatric surgical emergencies; Algorithm II describes the treatment of ischemic foot ulcers or gangrene with or without underlying osteomyelitis; and Algorithm III describes the treatment of neuropathic foot ulcers with or without underlying osteomyelitis.
Han
Paul
P
Diabetic Foot Care Center, Coastal Communities Hospital, Tenet Health System, Santa Ana, CA, USA.
Ezquerro
Ruben
R
D000465:Algorithms; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply; D005734:Gangrene; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D014945:Wound Healing