Foot Care for Patients With Diabetes

As the rate of patients developing diabetes and prediabetes increases, the risk of developing ulcerations leading to amputation increases. The incidence of open wounds in patients with diabetes is very high and affects 1 of every 6 patients. These nonhealing “diabetic ulcers” are the major cause of leg, foot, and toe amputations. The ulcers do not occur spontaneously but are always preceded by a gradual or sudden injury to the skin by some external factor. Preventing these types of injuries, and early recognition when they do occur, can reduce the risk of the wound progressing to the point of amputation. Healthcare providers play an important role in recognizing the early signs of changes in the feet. Early patient education has been proven to be beneficial in identifying these changes that are brought about as a result of diabetes and, by doing so, reducing the risk of complications. This article reviews the typical changes that may occur in the feet of patients with diabetes and discusses how early recognition and prevention can assist in reducing the complications that occur as a result of ulcerations.