Diabetic foot ulcers: current treatment options and new developments

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers are a marker of far more serious underlying co-morbidities that often represent a precursor to infection, amputation, and death. The treatment of diabetic foot ulcers is marked by many options that represent both potential opportunity and hindrance. Thousands of products are available to the provider, yet confusion often exists as to the indications, as well as when and how to use such modalities. Increased availability of treatment modalities can be overwhelming to providers, and as such, can lead to reliance on outdated and unproven methods. Current diabetic foot ulcer treatment options are often based on clinical and anecdotal findings. Evidencebased treatment options are limited. An overview of diabetic foot ulcer management is presented in an organized manner to assist providers in their decision making in treating diabetic foot ulcers, with a goal of improving clinical outcomes and reducing amputations.