What are "diabetic feet"?

Diabetic patients are prone to foot deformities leading to ulceration and infection of the foot which may progress to tissue necrosis requiring amputation. This is due to a combination of vascular disease and neuropathy.

Why do diabetic patients develop foot problems?

Diabetes impairs the function of the nerves and blood vessels supplying the feet. This makes them prone to small cuts and pressure ulcers which allow infection to enter and spread through the foot.

Sensory neuropathy robs the diabetic foot of the protective mechanism of pain allowing ulceration to develop in response to minor trauma or rubbing.

How are diabetic foot problems treated and avoided?

Good diabetic control helps reduce the severity of foot complications. Localised infections should be treated with debridement (surgical removal of infected tissue) Plain X-rays may show evidence of osteomyelitis (bone infection) and MRI is an accurate way of defining the extent of infection in the foot.

Procedures to improve blood flow for diabetic feet

It is crucial to maximise the blood flow into the foot. Microsurgical techniques are highly effective at promoting blood flow into the foot to aid healing of wounds.