The role of the podiatrist in the prevention of foot ulceration in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

This project concerns the effects of diabetes mellitus, a lifelong metabolic disorder affecting a large number of people, and a disease which affects the approach of podiatrists to their patients, as it directly influences the way the patient is treated. An in-depth analysis of the physiological effects of the disease is given, illustrating how this would affect the patient's way of life. The effect of diabetes on the foot is given particular attention, showing how ulcers develop while classifying the different classes of ulcers. The various ways in which the patient could prevent the formation of these potentially dangerous ulcers. Various ways in which the patient could participate in his cure are illustrated, highlighting the importance of patient awareness about this disease, and how the increased patient participation could help the sufferers themselves reap benefits that would help in coping with the disease. Thus, it is shown that education is a principal asset in combating this disease.