title: The deteriorating DFU: prioritising risk factors to avoid amputation.
abstract: The risk of amputation in a deteriorating diabetic foot ulcer is high. This article identifies the three major risk factors associated with such an infection--tissue loss, ischaemia and infection--and explains how to identify which risk is most prominent, and what to do to reduce the risk of amputation. Examples are included of how this approach has led to successful patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Instructor and Fellow, University of Arizona College of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lew
authors.affiliation: Professor of Surgery and Chief, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Co-director SALSA, Tucson, Arizona.
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: Professor of Surgery and Director of Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), University of Arizona College of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*