Limb Salvage of the Diabetic Foot: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Edmonds, Michael E., Sumpio, Bauer E. (Eds.).

Although there have been many advances in the management of the diabetic foot, it nevertheless remains a major global public health problem. This book is devoted to saving the limbs and lives of people with diabetes and foot problems.

Chapter previews and ordering

Although there have been many advances in the management of the diabetic foot, it nevertheless remains a major global public health problem. This book is devoted to saving the limbs and lives of people with diabetes and foot problems. It aims to help the reader build an interdisciplinary understanding of the diabetic foot and its treatment.

After an introductory chapter on assessment, classification and approach to management, the book is divided into four sections, devoted to the four commonest presentations of the diabetic foot, namely, the neuropathic foot, the Charcot foot, the ischaemic foot and the infected foot. Each section has an introduction explaining the clinical approach to each of the presentations and is accompanied by an algorithm illustrating the limb salvage pathway and intervention steps for each of the four presentations. Each section contains clinical photographs which assist the reader in quickly and easily recognizing the various presentations of the threatened limb.

The book offers practical, instructive information for clinicians on what to do in common limb salvage situations as well as highlighting modern advances both in revascularisation of the ischaemic foot and reconstruction of the Charcot foot.

“Time is tissue” and speed is of the essence. This book helps the reader to heal the ulcer before infection occurs, eradicate infection before necrosis develops, treat ischaemia before gangrene develops and diagnose the Charcot foot before deformity develops, or if deformity has taken place, to prevent ulceration.

This book emphasises the need for an interdisciplinary team approach to the diabetic foot and should help individual members of the team to understand the differing roles of other members. This book is a collaboration between members of the interdisciplinary diabetic foot teams of King’s College Hospital, London, and Yale University School of Medicine and should be of interest and support to all members of the interdisciplinary diabetic foot team.