Amplitude
  • MAGAZINE
    • Subscribe
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Living With Amplitude
      • Adaptive Living
      • Amputee to Amputee
      • Arts & Culture
      • Education
      • Featured
      • Getting Support
      • Giving Support
      • Health & Medicine
      • Money Matters
      • Relationships
      • Science & Technology
      • Sports & Recreation
      • Transportation & Mobility
      • More Amplitude
    • View Print Edition
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Recent Articles
    • Newsletter Archive
  • RESOURCES
    • Guide to Living With Limb Loss
    • Amputee Resource Directory
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Subscribe to Magazine
    • Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter
    • Subscriptions FAQ
    • ABOUT US
      • Contact Us
      • Advertiser Information
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Cancellation Policy
  • READER’S CHOICE
  • PARALYMPICS
    • Latest News
    • Pathways to Paris
    • Meet the Athletes
No Result
View All Result
  • MAGAZINE
    • Subscribe
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Living With Amplitude
      • Adaptive Living
      • Amputee to Amputee
      • Arts & Culture
      • Education
      • Featured
      • Getting Support
      • Giving Support
      • Health & Medicine
      • Money Matters
      • Relationships
      • Science & Technology
      • Sports & Recreation
      • Transportation & Mobility
      • More Amplitude
    • View Print Edition
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Recent Articles
    • Newsletter Archive
  • RESOURCES
    • Guide to Living With Limb Loss
    • Amputee Resource Directory
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Subscribe to Magazine
    • Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter
    • Subscriptions FAQ
    • ABOUT US
      • Contact Us
      • Advertiser Information
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Cancellation Policy
  • READER’S CHOICE
  • PARALYMPICS
    • Latest News
    • Pathways to Paris
    • Meet the Athletes
No Result
View All Result
Amplitude

Experts Develop Guidelines to Manage Diabetes-Related Foot Issues

February 24, 2016
0

About 80 percent of diabetes-related lower-limb amputations are preceded by a foot ulcer. This progression from foot ulcer to amputation lends itself to several possible steps where intervention based on evidence-based guidelines may prevent major amputation. Considering the disease burden and the existing variations in care that make decisions challenging for patients and clinicians, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) collaborated with the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and the Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM) to improve the care of patients with diabetes-related foot conditions and to provide an evidence-based, multidisciplinary management approach.

The guidelines are the result of a three-year-long project involving a committee of vascular surgeons, podiatrists, and physicians with expertise in vascular and internal medicine. The committee was assisted by a guideline methodologist, a librarian, and a team of investigators with expertise in conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis. The clinical guidelines were published in the February issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery. These recommendations are meant to pertain to all individuals with diabetes, regardless of etiology.

The committee made specific practice recommendations using the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. The best available evidence was used, and patients’ values and preferences and the clinical context were considered to develop these guidelines. The committee included preventive recommendations, such as those for adequate glycemic control, periodic foot inspections, and patient and family education, as well as evidence to support the recommendations. Specific areas of focus include prevention of diabetes-related foot ulceration, off-loading, diagnosis of osteomyelitis, wound care, and peripheral arterial disease.

The committee recommends using custom therapeutic footwear in patients with diabetes who are at high risk for amputations, including those with significant neuropathy, foot deformities, or previous amputations. In patients with plantar diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), off-loading with a total contact cast or irremovable fixed ankle walking boot is recommended. In patients with a new DFU, it is recommended that they undergo probe-to-bone test and plain films to be followed by an MRI if a soft tissue abscess or osteomyelitis is suspected. Recommendations on comprehensive wound care and various debridement methods are also included. For DFUs that fail to improve (>50 percent wound area reduction) after a minimum of four weeks of standard wound therapy, adjunctive wound therapy options are recommended. In patients with DFUs who have peripheral arterial disease, revascularization by either surgical bypass or endovascular therapy is recommended.

The committee acknowledged that these guidelines do not cover all the aspects of diabetes-related foot issues, and said that as future evidence accumulates, it plans to update these recommendations.

Tags: educationgetting supportgiving supportHealth & MedicineTransportation & Mobility
Previous Post

Amputee Coalition Accepting Scholarship Applications

Next Post

Clinical Study Offers Hope to Critical Limb Ischemia Patients

Next Post

Clinical Study Offers Hope to Critical Limb Ischemia Patients


Subscribe Today

Recent Posts

  • Targeted MN Legislators Were Staunch Amputee Allies
  • Amputee Skywalker Discovers the Joys of Highlining
  • White House Seeks to Eliminate Funds for Amputee Programs
  • The Amputee Who Created New York City
  • Prosthetic Insurance Reform for Amputees

201 East 4th Street
Loveland, CO 80537
303-255-0843
©2025 Amplitude Media Group

Today’s amputees are living more dynamic lives than ever before. Amplitude tells their stories.

About Us
Privacy Policy
Subscribe

FOLLOW US

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin

No part of this electronic publication/website may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission from Amplitude Media Group.

No Result
View All Result
  • MAGAZINE
    • Subscribe
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Living With Amplitude
      • Adaptive Living
      • Amputee to Amputee
      • Arts & Culture
      • Education
      • Featured
      • Getting Support
      • Giving Support
      • Health & Medicine
      • Money Matters
      • Relationships
      • Science & Technology
      • Sports & Recreation
      • Transportation & Mobility
      • More Amplitude
    • View Print Edition
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Recent Articles
    • Newsletter Archive
  • RESOURCES
    • Guide to Living With Limb Loss
    • Amputee Resource Directory
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Subscribe to Magazine
    • Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter
    • Subscriptions FAQ
    • ABOUT US
      • Contact Us
      • Advertiser Information
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Cancellation Policy
  • READER’S CHOICE
  • PARALYMPICS
    • Latest News
    • Pathways to Paris
    • Meet the Athletes

Amplitude
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy Policy