Guidelines for diabetic foot care

Foot infection is the most common reason for hospital admission of patients with diabetes in the United States. Foot ulceration leads to deep infectio n, sepsis, and lower extremity amputation. Prophylactic foot care has been shown to decrease patient morbidity, decrease the utilization of expensive resources, and decrease the risk for amputation and premature death. The Di abetes Committee of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society has dev eloped guidelines for implementing this type of prophylactic foot care. The guidelines are arranged as follows: I. Screening for Patients Who Are at Risk for Developing Diabetic Foot Comp lications A. Risk Factors B. Components of Screening and Examination. II. Patient Education. III. Basic Treatment Guidelines A. Risk Categories B. Nail Care C. Ulcer Ca re. IV. Referral Guidelines A. Vascular Surgery Consultation B. Orthopaedic Con sultation C. Endocrinologist/Diabetologist Consultation D. Infectious Disea se Consultation E. Radiologic Consultation F. Pedorthic Consultation. V. Resources.