title: [Diabetic foot ulcers].
abstract: Diabetic foot ulcers result from two specific complications: neuropathy and arteriosclerosis. Prompt and appropriate treatment of these often complicated wounds can help reduce complications that may lead to amputation. The most effective way to prevent these complications is to refer patients to interdisciplinary diabetic foot teams. The most important aspects of treatment are off-loading, treatment of infections, establishment of sufficient circulation, and local wound therapy. A specific examination is the basis for risk assessment. Prophylaxis and appropriate management of patients at risk of developing foot ulcers would contribute to reduce the number of amputations among diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Kirurgisk avdeling, Sørlandet sykehus, 4400 Flekkefjord. marcus.gurgen@sshf.no
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gürgen
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaal
authors.forename: Eivind
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Witsø
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001458:Bandages; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery