Diabetic Pedal Osteomyelitis and Its Treatment

Diabetes is a fast-growing chronic metabolic disorder that is widely associated with foot ulcers. The major challenge among these ulcers is wound infections, altered inflammatory responses, and a lack of angiogenesis that can complicate limb amputation. The foot, because of its architecture, becomes the part most prone to complications and the infection rate is higher mainly between the toes due to the humid nature. Therefore, the infection rate is significantly higher. Wound healing in diabetes is a dynamic process usually delayed due to poor immune function. Diabetes-related pedal neuropathy and perfusion disturbances can lead to a loss of sensation in the foot. This neuropathy can further be a risk factor for ulcer development due to repetitive mechanical stress that later might get infected by the invasion of microorganisms extending to the bone and causing an infection called pedal osteomyelitis. This review details the pathophysiology, the biomaterials aiding in the infection cure and regeneration of bone along with their limitations, as well as their future prospects.