The document provides a comprehensive overview of diabetic foot evaluation and the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), emphasizing the significance of early detection and timely intervention to reduce amputation risk. It outlines various risk factors, classification systems for ulcers, diagnostic assessments, and guidelines for foot care management. The importance of patient education, regular check-ups, and proper footwear is highlighted to prevent complications associated with diabetic foot conditions.

1. DIABETIC FOOT EVALUATION
&
PREVENTION OF DFU
(DIABETIC FOOT ULCER)
Compiled by
Dr.V.Srinivasan.
Vismaya Hospital , Sulthan Bathery.

2. Diabetic foot complication is a challenge to the health
care professionals.
This particular complication accounts for more
hospital admissions than any other complication of
Diabetes with variable morbidity and mortality.
The risk of lower extremity amputation is 10 times
higher in patients with diabetes than those without
Diabetes.
But…. fortunately …early detection and timely
intervention promises almost 85 % reduction in the
incident of lower limb amputations.

3. Complications of DM
DIABETIC
RETINOPATHY
CEREBRO VASCULAR
DISEASE
CORONARY ARTERY
DISEASE
DIABETIC
NEPHROPATHY
PERIPHERAL
VASCULAR
DISEASE
DIABETIC
PERIPHERAL
NEUROPATHY
IMPOTENCE

4. DIABETIC FOOT

5. RISK FACTORS FOR
DIABETIC FOOT LESIONS.
POOR GLYCEMIC CONTROL
PREVIOUS AMPUTATION.
 PAST HISTORY OF DFU
DPN, PVD.
FOOT DEFORMITY.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
MALE SEX—SMOKING ,
ALCOHOL.
DIABETIC KIDNEY DISEASE
ESPECIALLY ON DIALYSIS.
PRECIPITATING FACTORS
TRAUMA FROM INAPPROPRIATE SHOES.
BARE-FOOT WALKING
IMPROPER CUTTING OF NAILS.
(INGROWING TOE NAILS ,PARONYCHIA)
INTERTRIGO.
HOME SURGERY OF CORNS AND CALLUS.

6. Epidemiology
GLOBALLY > 7 % OF THE POPULATION IS DIABETIC
15% OF DIABETICS WILL DEVELOP A FOOT ULCER
FOOT ULCERATIONS IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF
CHRONIC HOSPITALIZED CARE AND EXPENSIVE TO TREAT.
50% NON -TRAUMATIC AMPUTATIONS ARE DUE TO DIABETIC
FOOT COMPLICATION
AFTER AMPUTATION 30% LOSE OTHER LIMB IN 3 YRS & 2/3 DIE IN 5
YRS
EARLY DETECTION AND TIMELY INTERVENTION COULD REDUCE
LIMB THREATENING AND LIFE THREATENING COMPLICATIONS.

7. Pathophysiology
VASCULOPATHY 30 %
NEUROPATHY 60-80 %
NEUROPATHY IS THE STARTER,
VASCULOPATHY IS THE CHASER AND
INFECTION IS THE PERPETUATOR.

8. DIABETES MELLITUS
NEUROPATHY TRAUMA /
INFECTION
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR
DISEASE(PVD)
DIABETIC FOOT ULCERATION
MOTOR SENSOR
Y
AUTONAUMIC
WEAKNESS
ATROPHY OF
MUSCLES
DEFORMITY
ABNORMAL
STRESS
HIGH PLANTAR
PRESSURE
CALLUS
FORMATION
LOSS OF
PROTECTIV
E
SENSATION
ANHYDROU
S DRY SKIN
ALTERED BLOOD
FLOW REGULATION
REDUCED
SYMPATHETIC TONE.
PERSISTANT HYPERGLYCEMIA
ENDOTHELIAL
DYSFUNCTION
SMOOTH CELL
ABNORMALITY
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
( MAINLY INFRA POPLITEAL
SEGMENTS )
PATHO PHYSIOLOGY &
MECHANISM OF DFU.
STRUCTURAL
DEFORMITY
UNACCEPTABLE
&
ACCEPTABLE
STRESS
ISCHEMIA
CHEMICAL
MECHANICAL
THERMAL
FACTORS

9. CLASSIFICATION
The examination of an Ulcer must provide a detailed
account of the ulcer characteristics .
-site
-Size
-Depth
-appearance
It helps for an appropriate management plan.
1.Wagners diabetic ulcer classification
2.University of Texas diabetic wound classification
system

10. Wagner’s Diabetic Ulcer Classification
(Based on wound depth and extent of tissue necrosis)
grade 0 – Intact skin (impending ulcer)
grade 1 – superficial
grade 2 – deep to tendon bone or ligament
grade 3 - osteomyelitis
grade 4 – gangrene of toes or forefoot
grade 5 – gangrene of entire foot
This classification has not taken into consideration the
presence of Infection or Ischemia.

11. STAGE GRADE
0 i ii iii
A
( No infection or
ischemia )
Post ulcerative
lesion completely
epithelialized
Superficial wound
not involving deeper
structures
Wound penetrating
to tendon or capsule
Wound penetrating
to bone or joint
B Infection Infection Infection Infection
C Ischemia Ischemia Ischemia Ischemia
D Ischemia and
infection
Ischemia and
infection
Ischemia and
infection
Ischemia and
infection
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS DIABETIC WOUND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The two critical factors- Infection and Ischemia have
been addressed here.

12. EVALUATION OF DIABETIC FOOT
HISTORY
Tingling , numbness, burning in feet
Fatigue, cramping and aching
Nocturnal exacerbation,
Previous foot ulceration/ amputation
Claudication pain in legs
Difficulty in walking
Associated vision loss /chronic kidney disease
Use of tobacco

13. GLYCEMIC EVALUATION
Epidemiological studies revealed correlation between
hyperglycemia, DPN and DFU
There is Linear association between HBA1c values and
amputation
57% reduction in DPN in patients treated intensively.
DCCT reveals that 1% mean reduction in HBA1c produces
26% reduction in micro vascular complications.
There is also a decline in percentage of amputations by 36 % in
the intensively treated group

14. INSPECTION
Look for
nail dystrophies ,
erythema,
prominent veins,
 callus,
foot ulcer,
inter digital
mycosis,
swelling of foot,
fissures ,
dermopathy,
dryness of skin etc.
Look for skin color ,
turgor,
shiny thin papery onion skin,
bluish discoloration ,
impending gangrene etc.
 Foot deformities like claw
toes,
hammer toes , bunions,
gross deformities of mid foot
( Charcot foot )

15.  Lower 1/3 Tibia bisects vertical
 Knee joint Sub talar joint axis and supporting surface are in
parallel
 Both lateral and medial malleoli are in the same line.
 Calcaneus bisects vertical
NORMAL FOOT

16. NORMAL BIO –MECHANICS OF
FOOT.
Heel strike is central
Pronation is controlled by small muscles.
First MTP contact time is optimum.
Weight shifts from 1st MTP to other MTPs
Supination of fore-foot completes stance
phase.

17. ABNORMAL FOOT CLAWED TOES

21. CHARCOT FOOT
Neuro –arthropathy
Insensitive foot –repetitive stress leading
to microfaracture and bone destruction
and remodelling of foot into ‘bag of bones’
Mistaken often for osteomyelitis /cellulitis.
-X- ray shows
‘pencil pointing’ and ‘sucked candy
‘appearance of metatarsal heads and
shafts.
ROCKER
BOTTOM
FOOT

22. PALPATION
Temperature difference in feet is evaluated.
- Cold feet in AN, Ischemia
Peripheral pulsation (dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial)
Bony prominences on the plantar aspect
Limited joint mobility of 1st MTP.
LJM leads to hallux rigidus.
This can be diagnosed by
asking the patients to
Dorsi flex hallux
while the foot is weight bearing.

23. ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANT
NEUROPATHY
5. SIMPLE CLINICAL TESTS
1. 10 gm Monofilament
2. Pin prick
3. 128 Hz Tuning fork
4. Ankle reflex
5. Biothesiometry.

24. 10 GRAMS SEMMES-WEINSTEIN MONOFILAMENT
It is a Nylon monofilament of 5.07 size, equalent
to 10 grams of linear force.
It tests sense of touch( large nerve fibre function )
Site of testing : plantar and dorsum
Before testing demonstrate the sensation on the
hand or palm.
Place the monofilament perpendicular to the
test site.
Bow into C shape for one second
Test six sites of the foot . It predicts 95 %
ulcer formers

25. Biothesiometer
Used to assess the VPT.
When applied to the foot
it delivers a vibratory
stimulus which increases
as the voltage is increased.
VPT beyond 25 is 7 times
prone to DFU
Beyond 42 is 23 times prone
to DFU.
1. Distal part of great
toe
2. First metatarsal
head
3. Third metatarsal
head
4 .Fifth metatarsal
head
5. Instep
6. Heel

26. VASCULAR ASSESSMENT
i.PALPATION OF PERIPHERAL
VASCULAR PULSE
- Dorsalis pedis artery
- Posteriar tibial
ii. ABI (anke brachial index )
-using normal BP apparatus
-Using DOPPLER probes
iii. ANGIOGRAPHY
MR angiography
CT angiography.

27. ABI-- USING DOPPLER
BP IS MEASURED USING DOPPLER ULTRASONIC PROBE .
RIGHT SIDE
-RIGHT BRACHIAL
-RIGHT POSTERIAR TIBIAL
- RIGHT DORSALIS PEDIS
LEFT SIDE
-LEFT BRACHIAL
-LEFT POSTERIAR TIBIAL
-LEFT DORSALIS PEDIS
ANKLE PRESSURE IS DIVIDED
BY BRACHIAL PRESSURE

28. TASK II GUIDELINES FOR ABI
0.91-1.4 normal
0.71-0.9 mild PVD
0.41-0.70 moderate PVD
<0.40 severe PVD
>1.40 incompressible
( calcified) artery
ANKLE PRESSURE AND ULCER
HEALING
<70 mmHG Poor ulcer healing
>100 mmHg good prognosis
Toe pressure
<20 mmHg poor prognosis
>40 mm Hg is good prognosis
INTERPRETATION OF ABI

29. ABI
USING BP APPARATUS
(Record SYSTOLIC BP )
Right arm
Left arm
Right ankle
Left ankle
ANKLE PRESSURE IS DIVIDED
BY BRACHIAL PRESSURE

30. 1.BURNIBG OR NUMBNESS 0/1/2
2.FATIGUE,CRAMPING 0R ACHING 0/1/2
3.NOCTOURNAL EXACERBATION 2
4.ANKLE REFLEXES 0/1/2
5.VPT WITH TUNING FORK 0/1
6.PIN PRICK SENSATION 0/1
7.TEMPERATURE SENSATION 0/1
A score of > 10 is associated with high risk of DFU
NSS & NDS
(NEUROPATHY SYMPTOM SCORE & NEUROPATHY DISABILITY
SCORE)

31. ASSESSMENT OF FOOT AT RISK
 GAIT OBSERVED WHILE THE
PATIENT
ENTERING INTO THE CHAMPER
 SUBTALAR POINT POSITION AT
REST
 1ST MTP JOINT MOBILITY
 HEEL STRIKE
 CALLUS AT PLANTAR AREA
 PALPATE MTP HEADS

32. FOOT WEAR OF THE PATIENT
Insist on removal of the foot wear
Inspect the foot wear-–in-shoe foot prints-
- as they can often be the cause of foot
ulcer.
Abnormal foot biomechanics can cause
uneven pattern of wear and tear and make
the shoes troublesome for use.
This makes the need for regular review of
foot wear
Look for shoes that are worn out, too
small, too narrow, high heels with too low
toe box
Insist on avoiding Hawaii slippers

33. GOOD FOOT WEAR SHOULD HELP
Prevent ulceration
Protection of wound
Easy to apply
Frequent wound inspection
should be possible
No interference with mobility
Cosmetically acceptable
Safe (no complications )

34. PLANTAR PRESSURE
ASSESSMENT
HARRIS MATE ( FOOT IMPRINTER )
INEXPENSIVE
DETECTS THE PRESSURE PONTS IN THE FOOT.
HELPS TO MAKE A PROPER FOOT WEAR.
We can assess
Static pressure Imprint
Dynamic pressure Imprint
The pressure gradient is
expressed in intensity gradient

35. PODIA SCAN (software with
scanner)
USING THE HARRIS
IMPRINTER PAPER WE
RECORD THE IMPRESSION
SCAN IT AND TAKE THE
COLOR PRINT -OUT
THE PRESSURE
GRADIENT IS EXPRESSED
IN THE COLOR
DIFFERENCE.

36.  Off loading --Foot wear.
The podiatrist’s most important
treatment arsenal is off-loading.
The insensitive feet are prone to
be affected by unfelt and
unperceived peak plantar
pressures which is responsible
for precipitating and
perpetuating the plantar ulcers.

37. Patient education
Foot care tips
Exam of foot
Dos and don’ts
Foot wear at home
and office
Exercise tips
1.Walking
2.Jogging
3.Running
4.Static cycling
5.Swimmig
Low risk feet
Very important
Allowed
Allowed
Allowed
Allowed
Allowed
High risk feet
Very important
Avoid brisk walking
Avoid
Avoid
Recommended
Recommended

38. Health provider education
competence in basic screening of foot
- neurological system
- vascular
- musculoskeletal
- dermatological system.

39. Skin temperature monitoring
The elevation in skin temperature of the
pre-ulcerative inflammatory site as compared to
the contra lateral limb is predictive of an area at
risk
-liquid crystal thermography
-infra red thermometry
-cutaneous thermal discrimination thresh hold
-electrical contact thermometry
Currently being used for evaluation.

40. Surgical intervention
Aimed at eliminating deformities responsible for
increased plantar pressure
-short Achilles tendon could be corrected
by lengthening the tendon
-removal of osseous prominences
-reconstruction of deformed foot/ankle
-vascular surgery to improve the blood flow.
Evidence based studies are still lacking to support
these prophylactic measures.

41. NAIL TRIMMING
TREATMENT OF
CALLUS AND CORNS
MUST BE DONE BY
TRAINED PERSONS

42. DOs
Check your feet every day for cuts,
bruises, cracks, blisters or infection.
Use a mirror to see the bottom of
your feet if u cant lift them up.
Check the color of the feet and legs
and if any pain or swelling consult
the doctor.
Trim the nail straight across.
Wash and dry the feet everyday
especially between toes.
Apply a good skin lotion to the
heels and soles everyday and wipe
off any excess lotion.
Select the foot wear in the
evenings.
Always wear good supportive
shoes with low heels. <5 cms height.
Avoid excessive cold or heat.
DONTs
Don’t Cut your own callus or corns.
Don’t treat your own in -growing toe
nails by cutting with scissors or
blades.
Don’t use over the counter
medications to treat the corns or warts.
Don’t apply heat or hot water bottles
on the feet.
Don’t soak your feet.
Don’t take very hot bath.
Don’t walk bare-foot inside or outside.
Don’t use tight shoes or garters or
elastics.
Don’t wear over the counter insoles.
Don’t wear the new shoes
continuously for more than 2 hrs to
allow the leather to soften.
Don’t sit for longer periods .
Don’t smoke.

43. RISK CATEGORIZATION —PERIODICITY OF CHECK
UP.
CATOGORY RISK PROFILE CHECK UP FREQUENCY
0 NO SENSORY NEUROPATHY ONCE A YEAR
1 SENSORY NEUROPATHY EVERY SIX MONTHS
2 SENSORY NEUROPATHY
PVD
FOOT DEFORMITIES
EVERY THREE MONTHS
3 PREVIOUS ULCER /AMPUTATION ONCE IN EVERY 1-3 MONTHS

44. e
Glycemic
control
Evaluation and
management of
PVD
Evaluation and
management
of DPN
Self
examination
of foot daily.
Annual foot
examination
Screening and
management of
elevated plantar
pressure
Education
intervention
Skin
temperature
monitoring
Surgical
intervention
-
deformity
correction
Prevention
of DFU
COMPREHENSIV
E
FOOT CARE

45. Care the feet MORE Than the face
thank u…..

46. STAGING OF THE DIABETIC FOOT
Stage 1 : Normal foot
Stage 2 : High risk foot
Stage 3 : Ulcerated foot
Stage 4 : Infected foot
Stage 5: Necrotic foot
Stage 6 : Unsalvageable foot.