Diabetic foot infections: diagnosis and management

With the increasing number of diabetic patients, it is likely that the number of diabetic foot infections will increase in upcoming years. Better strategies are required to optimize the outcomes of these infections.

The current literature was reviewed to define best practices in the management of diabetic foot infections.

Management requires differentiation of colonization from infection. Classification of the severity of an infection is commonly important to interpret the effectiveness of care. Although many kinds of bacteria are associated with these infections, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as a major pathogen. Management of these severe infections usually necessitates hospitalization with rigorous medical management, prudent debridement of wounds, and appropriate antibiotic therapy targeting the responsible pathogens.

Effective multidisciplinary management of the diabetic foot can reduce the rate of severe infections and the number and extent of amputations.