Saving the diabetic foot

Diabetic foot ulceration is both preventable and treatable. The management of diabetic foot disease is best achieved through implementation of local protocols involving the primary care team, community care and the multidisciplinary diabetic team. It is important that the feet the assessed as part of the overall assessment of a diabetic patient at any clinical presentation. The initial management of the acute diabetic foot may present to a general practitioner or general physician, and involves the urgent assessment and treatment of infection, foot elevation, wound debridement and, where appropriate, referral for urgent vascular assessment in a specialist centre.