Diabetic foot ulcer Diabetic foot is the term used to describe a group of conditions that can affect the feet of people with diabetes due to nerve damage, poor blood supply, and infection.
Diabetes may affect the blood vessels, leading to poor circulation in the legs and feet.
It may also result in nerve damage (called diabetic neuropathy), which can lead to a gradual loss of sensation in the feet.
The loss of sensation can mean that small injuries go unnoticed and this, together with poor circulation, may lead to a foot ulcer. Furthermore, an ulcer may become infected, and gangrene (death of tissue) may develop, which in severe cases may ultimately mean that the amputation of the toes or the foot becomes necessary.
The risk of developing diabetic foot can be minimized by ensuring that blood glucose levels are well controlled, and by paying particular attention to foot care: wearing well-fitting shoes, checking the feet every day, and ensuring that any wounds or infections are treated promptly.