Preventative foot care

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) care

Ischemia management
Neuropathy management
Surgery
 Regular inspection of the foot, appropriate nail care, warm
(32oC) soaks, moisturizing creams, early detection of new
lesions
 Optimally fitted footwear – well cushioned sneakers,
custom molded shoes
 Pressure reduction – cushioned insoles, custom orthoses
 Patient education — need for daily inspection and
necessity for early intervention, avoidance of barefoot
walking
 Physician education — significance of foot lesions,
importance of regular foot examination, and current
concepts of diabetic foot management
 Debridement – of callus and necrotic tissue using sharp
debridement till bleeding tissue, lavage and dressings
 Offloading of the ulcer site to reduce ischaemia via
total contact cast, non weight bearing (crutches,
bedrest, wheel chair)
 Wound management – maintenance of a moist wound
with regular cleaning and dressing
 Infections treated with broad spectrum antibiotics
based on culture results.
Clindamycin/flouroquinolone/metronidazole suitable
empiric therapy