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Diabetic Foot Management

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Pearls and Pitfalls in Skin Ulcer Management

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) occur in one-third of individuals with diabetes during their lifetime and represent the main cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation (LEA). Diabetes-related complications of the lower limbs are associated with increased mortality and disability, with severe personal and social consequences. The pathogenesis of DFU is complex, involving both microvascular and macrovascular diabetes-related damages, tendon and fascial alterations, and immune system impairment. Thus, a multidisciplinary team is required to address this multifaceted disease by providing optimal pressure offloading and wound bed preparation, restoring perfusion, eradicating infection, improving and maintaining glycemic control. Continuous education of patients and their family during timely follow-up visits is key to prevent DFU and curb the high DFU recurrence rate.

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Correspondence to Francesco Giorgino .

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Caruso, I. et al. (2023). Diabetic Foot Management. In: Maruccia, M., Papa, G., Ricci, E., Giudice, G. (eds) Pearls and Pitfalls in Skin Ulcer Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45453-0_48

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