Foot surgery in the patient with diabetes

Foot surgery for the patient with diabetes does not need to have negative implications. Limb salvage is always a worthwhile goal. The surgeon needs to consider prophylactic surgery in the patient with diabetes to prevent subsequent infections from developing in pressure areas. The assessment of hypoxia, with the help of a vascular surgeon when necessary, is of obvious importance. The large number of misconceptions regarding foot surgery for patients with diabetes leads to considerable confusion regarding surgical care. Many patients with diabetes recover from infections, as well as elective and ablative surgery. This may enable years of foot function to be preserved and is a worthwhile goal in all foot surgery involving patients with diabetes.