End-stage complications of diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic foot ulceration and amputations are common in the diabetic populat ion. Various risk factors lead to these complications, of which the most im portant are neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. Although these and other risk factors have been identified, the overall incidence of ulceratio n and amputations is not reduced significantly in most centers. Of paramoun t importance is identifying the "at risk" foot bg proper, systematic, and r egular screening of all diabetic patients, and providing foot care, educati on, and treatment in an organized manner, preferably in a specialized, mult idisciplinary diabetic foot clinic Instituting the principles of screening for the high-risk foot and prevention of foot ulcers may help reduce the in cidence of amputations in our diabetic patients.