Diabetic Foot

Nowadays prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is growing considerably، especially among young and obese people. It was estimated that nearly 7% of the people all over the world suffer from DM. Frequency of diabetes related complication such as diabetic foot may be enhanced by increasing longevity of diabetic patients. Foot ulcer is one of the most considerable complications of DM which may involve 15% of these patients during their life. Peripheral neuropathy، poor blood circulation and low resistant against infections are three main predisposing factors in development of diabetic foot. In the presence of these factors، deformity of the foot or any minor trauma may lead to ulceration and infection. Ulcer، infection، Charcot neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease in lower extremity may result in gangrene and amputation of limb. Foot ulcer and its complications associated with admission to hospital، increasing cost of treatment and finally disability of patients. Appropriate treatments for diabetic foot are infection control، reconstruction of blood supply if possible، decrease in pressure on the affected limb and enhancement of ulcer repair with surgical interventions. Although it is impossible to prevent all diabetic foot complications، but with establishment of appropriate therapeutic approaches، most of these complication are curable and also may decrease number of limb amputation.