loading… Each person with a diabetic foot ulcer should be systematically evaluated, as recommended in Australian and international guidelines. Systematic evaluation can be used to determine who is at risk of a poor outcome, who needs urgent treatment, and what disciplines should be involved. Another reason for such evaluation is to capture, analyse and benchmark…

loading… Busy times for Australian researchers, with another paper being published this week. This latest research is on the fundamental side of the research spectrum, focusing on gait parameters of people with neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers. It is an article to avoid if you are looking for direct clinical implications; however, it is a must…

loading… A new study, from DFAs Pete Lazzarini and colleagues, investigated the inpatient burden caused by foot-related conditions. The authors screened all patients in five carefully selected Queensland hospitals on one day, to find out how many had foot disease, foot trauma or another foot problem. An enormous undertaking, performed by a well-trained team. And…

loading… The majority of diabetic foot ulcers require offloading, to reduce plantar pressure and to heal the ulcer. Non-removable offloading devices are the gold standard, and advocated as such in Australian and international guidelines. However, non-removable offloading devices can be contra-indicated, and it is reported that both clinicians and patients frequently choose removable alternatives for…

loading… New Australian research has been published confirming the high amputation risk for people with diabetes and end-stage renal disease. In a retrospective chart review, researchers at the James Cook University (Townsville) looked at all patients attending the Townsville Dialysis Center between 2009 and 2013. They found 9 major and 20 minor lower limb amputations,…

loading… Professor Jeffcoate and colleagues have published a paper in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology that is a must read for anyone who wants to execute or read scientific studies on diabetic foot ulcers. Their paper, on behalf of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot and the European Wound Management Association, describes the…

loading… In 2015, it can be said that the diabetic foot is no longer the Cinderella of diabetic complications.Thirty years ago there was little evidence-based research taking place on the diabetic foot, and there were no international meetings addressing this topic. Seven systematic reviews are published as part of the IWGDF Guidance, with over 100…

loading… Careful classification of each diabetic foot ulcer you treat is needed to understand outcomes of treatment. Dr. Game presents an overview of the various systems that are available. She rightfully criticises the number of systems, and the lack of validation of many of them. Depending on your purpose (research, clinical description or auditing), she…

loading… Prevention has traditionally been a bit of the neglected child in the diabetic foot family, but the 2015 Guidance and this special issue are trying to make up for that. Not only with a new chapter in the Guidance (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dmrr.2696/abstract) and a systematic review on prevention (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dmrr.2701/abstract), also with five nice proceeding papers. Dr.…

loading… With the crucial role played in the healing of diabetic foot ulcers, assessment of presence or absence of peripheral artery disease is crucial. This can, however, be difficult because of the often complex, diffuse and distal nature of peripheral artery disease in patients with diabetes, as well as poor collateralisation and heavy vascular calcification.…