title: Prevention and management of diabetic foot ulcers.
abstract: As part of an annual foot review, trained and competent personnel should examine patients' feet to detect risk factors for ulceration. Foot examination with shoes and stockings removed should include: palpation of foot pulses; testing foot sensations using 10g monofilament or vibration; inspection for significant callus or deformed nails; inspection for any structural deformity; asking about any previous ulceration; checking for signs of ulceration; asking about any pain; and inspecting footwear. Following assessment, a foot risk classification score should be given. The person with diabetes should then be informed of their risk score, with education offered regarding future foot-care management. Diabetic foot complications include ulceration, Charcot foot, painful neuropathy, gangrene and amputation. Risk factors for ulceration include non-palpable pulses, insensate foot, significant callus, deformed nails, history of previous ulcer or amputation, tissue damage or signs of ulceration, foot pain and unsuitable footwear.
authors.affiliation: Lead Podiatrist in Diabetes, Sussex Community NHS Trust, Brighton and Hove.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turns
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D006113:United Kingdom; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing*
keywords: Assessment; Diabetes; Prevention; Rapid referral; Ulceration