Classification, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

The diabetic foot is one of the most significant complications of diabetes and is considered to be a major medical, social, and economic problem worldwide. The risk for foot ulceration in patients with diabetes is close to 25% and is also closely related to risk of limb amputation. Diabetic neuropathy, limited joint mobility, micro- and macroangiopathy, and high plantar pressures have been described as the main risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration. Proper diagnosis and adequate therapeutic treatment are considered the cornerstones to prevention of limb amputation and preservation of quality of life in patients with diabetes. The following review focuses on the classification, diagnosis, and current trends in the treatment of diabetic foot ulceration.