Diabetic Foot Ulcers

By Lydia A Meyers RN, MSN, CWCN

Diabetes is the number one cause of amputation for wound care patients. Individuals with diabetes need monitoring and education about the dangers they face on a daily basis due to their condition. Diabetic ulcers often begin with a simple bump, as a callous or by stepping on something.

By Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND

After reading Laurie Swezey's blog, "Diabetic Foot - Risk Factors and Prevention", I decided to weigh in on the issue of poor glycemic control. Teamwork is an essential ingredient since achieving glycemic control is a challenge for all clinicians including the registered dietitian (RD).

By David Hite PhD

Diabetes, the leading cause of amputation of the lower limbs, places an enormous burden on both the individual and the health care system. It’s estimated that the annual cost for treating diabetic foot problems is over one billion dollars. During their lifetime, 15 percent of people with diabetes will experience a foot ulcer and about 20 percent of those will require amputation.

By Kim Coy DeCoste RN, MSN, CDE

It can be quite concerning when you ask your patients attending a DSME class “How many of you have had your feet checked for blood flow and nerve function by your health care provider?”, and far less than half of them raise their hands. Probing a little further, you find that a number of patients have never even had their feet visually inspected by their health care provider (HCP) for signs of diabetic foot ulcers. This isn’t unique to my practice site. Recently when I was teaching a professional education program with diabetes educators from across the US, most in the group concurred with my findings.

By Laurie Swezey RN, BSN, CWOCN, CWS, FACCWS

Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most dreaded complications of diabetes, and represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that a lower limb is sacrificed every 30 seconds somewhere in the world due to diabetes, and that diabetes is the reason for almost 50% of non-traumatic amputations of the lower leg throughout the world. Considering these facts, proper management of diabetic foot ulcers is of paramount importance.

By Aletha Tippett MD

Every six minutes, somewhere in the United States, someone loses a limb due to amputation because of peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy can cause pain, balance problems, loss of dexterity, and loss of sensation, all of which can lead to foot ulcers.