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The Pathogenesis of Foot Problems

  • Chapter
Clinical Management of Diabetic Neuropathy

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE,volume 7))

Abstract

The diabetic foot can present with many different problems, but the most important clinically are ulceration, amputation, and Charcot neuroarthropathy. These will be the focus of this chapter. Many diabetic complications have a great impact on the foot and it is therefore not surprising that diabetic foot problems account for more hospital inpatient days than any other diabetic problem (1). Diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease are the main etiological factors in foot ulceration, and may act alone, together, or in combination with other factors such as microvascular disease, biomechanical abnormalities, limited joint mobility, and increased susceptibility to infection. A thorough understanding of the contributory factors that lead to foot ulceration and amputation is essential for successful treatment of established pathology. Perhaps more importantly, as the role of education and appropriate footwear in preventing ulceration and amputation is now established, accurate identification of high-risk patients on whom these services can be focused is vital.

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Authors
  1. Jonathan E. Shaw MRCP
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  2. Andrew J. M. Boulton MD, FRCP
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Aristidis Veves MD

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Shaw, J.E., Boulton, A.J.M. (1998). The Pathogenesis of Foot Problems. In: Veves, A. (eds) Clinical Management of Diabetic Neuropathy. Contemporary Endocrinology, vol 7. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1816-6_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1816-6_18

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7296-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-1816-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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