Choice of wound care in diabetic foot ulcer: A practical approach

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers are the consequence of multiple factors including peripheral neuropathy, decreased blood supply, high plantar pressures, etc., and pose a significant risk for morbidity, limb loss and mortality. The critical aspects of the wound healing mechanism and host physiological status in patients with diabetes necessitate the selection of an appropriate treatment strategy based on the complexity and type of wound. In addition to systemic antibiotics and surgical intervention, wound care is considered to be an important component of diabetic foot ulcer management. This article will focus on the use of different wound care materials in diabetic foot. From a clinical perspective, it is important to decide on the wound care material depending on the type and grade of the ulcer. This article will also provide clinicians with a simple approach to the choice of wound care materials in diabetic foot ulcer.

Keywords: Diabetes; Foot; Wound; Debridement; Topical

Core tip: Diabetic foot ulcers are an important complication of diabetes. There is no conventional guideline regarding the selection of wound care materials in diabetic foot wounds. This article includes fundamental aspects of wound care and management with special emphasis on the selection of appropriate wound care materials depending on the type of wound tissue. Risk factors for foot ulceration, classification and grading of wounds, bacteriology, multidisciplinary team approach, types of debridement, importance of offloading, wound care and choice based on the complexity of the wound and properties of the dressing regime in each category based on clinical experience and practice are discussed.