Diabetic Foot Care.pdf

Diabetes-related foot ulcers occur in approximately 2% of people with diabetes annually, resulting in a 25-34% lifetime risk, with 50% of wounds becoming infected and 20-30% leading to amputation. Proper screening, care, and prevention can avoid many amputations. Diabetes has multiple presentations, including type 1 and type 2, with sensorimotor neuropathies and peripheral vasculopathies increasing the risk of complications. Limited joint mobility and increased plantar pressures play a major role in diabetic foot disease. Decreasing foot pressures through proper management and offloading can reduce ulcer formation. A comprehensive diabetic foot examination assesses lower extremity risk, including patient history, gait alteration, and sensation. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) risk classification grades patients on a scale of 0-3, corresponding to very low, low, moderate, and high ulceration risk. Patients are educated on proper shoe selection and foot care, with integration of foot orthoses and footwear modification based on ADA risk category.