Objective:

To review the approaches with reference to recent literatures to diabetic foot ulceration, which is a long-term complication of diabetes, that increases by incidence in Turkey and all through the globe with the aging population.

Background:

Diabetic foot defines a complex medical pathology. Three important factors play role in the planning and success of treatment, which are neuropathy, ischemia and infection. In the cases complicated by these three factors, diabetic necrosis could be observed. This process could end up with the loss extremity as a result of rapid and aggressive involvement. The control of the process in detail and with strong multidisciplinary approaches in early phases could manage the clinical outcomes, which lead to amputations. The fact that there happens an amputation related with diabetes in every 20 minutes all around the world, shows that diabetic foot is a big global health problem. In this review the structural and anatomical deformities at the lower extremity leading to diabetic foot ulcerations, the approaches to the diagnosis and prevention of circulatory problems and neurological changes and the principles in using appropriate footwear and orthoses have been evaluated.

Conclusion:

There are four main steps in modern diabetic foot approach. Each step has its own dynamics and treatment algorithms. These steps include physical examination and evaluation, classification, the periodical changes of the disease and recent invasive approaches. The aim is always to protect the extremity.

Keywords: diabetes, diabetic foot, foot ulceration, amputation and wound