Comprehensive Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Current Evidence and Practice

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent one of the most severe and resource-demanding complications of diabetes mellitus, significantly contributing to morbidity through infections, lower-limb amputations, reduced quality of life, and elevated healthcare expenditures. The etiology of DFUs involves a multifaceted interplay among diabetic neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, biomechanical abnormalities, and compromised tissue repair mechanisms. Despite advancements in diabetic care, DFUs continue to pose a substantial global health burden characterized by high recurrence rates and suboptimal long-term outcomes, particularly evident in regions such as China, where recurrence rates within 1 year exceed 30% among previously healed patients. Effective DFU management requires an integrated, multidisciplinary approach beginning with early risk stratification and accurate diagnosis, followed by targeted antimicrobial therapy, meticulous wound management, appropriate mechanical offloading, and comprehensive vascular assessment and intervention. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence and current clinical guidelines concerning DFU epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic strategies, underscoring the critical role of interdisciplinary coordinated care to enhance clinical outcomes and mitigate associated complications.