Diagnosis and management of infection in the diabetic foot.
Med Clin North Am. 2013 Sep;97(5):911-46
Authors: Peters EJ, Lipsky BA
Abstract
Foot infections are common in persons with diabetes mellitus. Most diabetic foot infections occur in a foot ulcer, which serves as a point of entry for pathogens. Unchecked, infection can spread contiguously to involve underlying tissues, including bone. A diabetic foot infection is often the pivotal event leading to lower extremity amputation, which account for about 60% of all amputations in developed countries. Given the crucial role infections play in the cascade toward amputation, all clinicians who see diabetic patients should have at least a basic understanding of how to diagnose and treat this problem.
PMID: 23992901 [PubMed - in process]