PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Sarah Craus
AU  - Abigail Mula
AU  - David V Coppini
TI  - The foot in diabetes – a reminder of an ever-present risk
AID  - 10.7861/clinmed2022-0489
DP  - 2023 May 01
TA  - Clinical Medicine
PG  - 228--233
VI  - 23
IP  - 3
4099  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/23/3/228.short
4100  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/23/3/228.full
SO  - Clin Med2023 May 01; 23
AB  - The term ‘diabetic foot disease’ (DFD) often signifies the presence of foot ulceration and infection, but one must also be wary of the rarer occurrence of Charcot foot disease. The worldwide prevalence of DFD is 6.3% (95%CI: 5.4–7.3%). Foot complications present a major challenge to both patients and healthcare systems, with increased rates of hospitalisation and an almost trebled 5-year mortality. The Charcot foot often occurs in patients with long-standing diabetes, presenting as an inflamed or swollen foot or ankle, following unrecognised minor trauma. This review focuses on the prevention and early identification of the ‘at-risk’ foot. DFD is best managed by a multi-disciplinary foot clinic team consisting of podiatrists and healthcare professionals. This ensures a combination of expertise and provision of a multi-faceted evidence-based treatment plan. Current research using endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) offers a new dimension in wound management.