Diabetic foot: a frequently misdiagnosed pathology. A survey on 185 cases

Abstract

Authors refer to the increasing significance of complications of diabetes mellitus. The most important of them is the diabetic osteoarthropathy of the foot which is often misdiagnosed in general practice. Authors report on 185 cases of diabetic foot treated at their department. iii of them were males and 74 females. Total number of admissions was 258 which means that some patients were repeatedly admitted. In 77 cases amputation was performed. Authors preferred the Burgess technique for below-knee amputation. Minor operations (amputations of digits, resections of metatarsal bones, etc.) were done in 125 cases. Total number of operations was 202. Authors refer to the limited results of conservative treatment. The 2.1 percentage mortality rate was due to the selection of patients suitable for rehabilitation.