The Interdisciplinary Approach: Preventive and Therapeutic Strategies for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Journal
Foot and ankle clinics
Journal Volume
27
Journal Issue
3
Pages
529
Date Issued
2022-09
Author(s)
Abstract
The appropriate treatment of the common diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in diabetic patients demands enormous human, organizational and financial resources that are finite. Interdisciplinary teams of medical and surgical specialists, as well as allied health professionals, can help to reduce the consumption of these resources, optimize treatment, and prevent DFUs. They consist primarily of vascular surgeons, endocrinologists, and orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and are closely supported when required by infectious diseases specialists, plastic surgeons, wound care specialist nurses, podiatrists, and orthotists. A timely interdisciplinary team review in each clinic session decreases the number of hospital visits for the oftentimes-handicapped diabetic patients significantly. The interdisciplinary team clinic setup has also been shown to reduce the risk of amputations, length of hospital staz and mortality rates.
Subjects
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetic fDiabetic foot ulcerationoot ulceration
Interdisciplinary management
Prevention
Therapy
Publisher
W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC
Type
review