Foot ulcer

EPIDEMIOLOGY Increasing diabetes mellitus by 38% since 2004. Financial burden of foot ulcer is approximately $20,000 dollars within 2 years of diagnosis and lifetime cost of an amputation is approximately $50,000. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - Direct bacterial invasion from skin ulcer break in the skin barrier - Oxidative stress, poor nutrition, impaired neutrophil function, ischemia from vascular insufficiency - Peripheral neuropathy leads to risk of developing foot ulcers. Sensory neuropathy leads to loss of protective sensation. Motor neuropathy leads to deformities that leading developing pressure points. Autonomic ...