Infections involving the skin and soft tissues of the lower extremities

A variety of infectious processes produce cutaneous and soft-tissue involvement of the lower extremities. Patients with conditions leading to ischemia and devitalized tissues, and those with diabetes mellitus are predisposed to developing these infections. The signs and symptoms and bacteriology of many of these infections may overlap, leading to confusion in diagnosis and subsequent management. Very often the progression of some of these infections is rapid and life-threatening, although mutilating-type infections are not uncommon. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary approach, with the surgeon, microbiologist, pathologist, internist, and infectious disease specialist working in close cooperation with each other.