Wound healing and care in the infected diabetic foot

ABSTRACT

The care of the infected diabetic foot remains an area for continued research as we try to reduce the morbidity and mortality of this most prevalent disease process. None of the new and advanced products can take the place of proper assessment, timely, and adequate surgical intervention and control of the blood sugar; they are only adjunctive. The use of non-invasive investigative techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear bone scan can help to confirm the presence of osteomyelitis which must be eradicated to accelerate the healing process. The gold standard for diagnosing vascular disease is angiography. Defective blood flow to the lower extremity must be corrected to ensure aequate blood supply and nutrients to the wound. In addition, good glucose control, adequate nutrition and strong psychological support will make a difference in healing these difficult wounds.