Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are the most costly and devastating complication of diabetes, affecting 15% of people with diabetes at some point in their lives. Based on strategies from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, early and effective management of DFU can reduce the severity of complications, such as avoidable amputation and possible death, and improve overall quality of life. Quality can be improved. Management of DFU should be optimized using a multidisciplinary team as it requires a holistic approach to wound management. Based on research, glycemic control, wound debridement, advanced dressings, and offloading modalities should always be part of DFU management. Moreover, in some cases, surgery to heal chronic ulcers and prevent recurrence should be considered an integral part of treatment. Additionally, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, electrical stimulation, negative pressure wound therapy, bioengineered skin, and growth factors can be used as adjunctive therapies for rapid healing of DFU. It is therefore suggested that appropriately educated patients should be encouraged to receive regular foot care to prevent DFU and its complications.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Wound management; Diabetic foot ulcer; Amputation; Foot care