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Diabetic foot is a complication of diabetes mellitus. It is a combination of bone and soft tissue changes in the foot, which can lead to severe complications that, if not treated in time, can only be resolved by amputation.

It occurs as a result of neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease.

There are several types of diabetic foot, such as neuroischemic, where vascularization (blood supply) is impaired along with neuropathy, and neuropathic diabetic foot, where there is only neuropathy without impaired blood supply. Another significant threat of diabetic foot is that it serves as an entry point for various pathogens, making infection a common occurrence.

The first stage of diabetic foot involves the loss of sensation in the foot, meaning the person cannot feel injuries, wounds, or the development of ulcers.

The second stage involves the weakening of muscles, leading to muscle atrophy, which results in the deformation of the foot and reduced function of the leg.

The third stage includes visible changes on the skin. The skin becomes dry (atopic), starts to crack, which provides an entry point for microorganisms, leading to infection.

The diagnosis is based on medical history and clinical presentation:

Information about confirmed diabetes, current blood glucose levels, and whether any symptoms have been noticed recently, such as neuropathy, reduced muscle function in the foot, skin cracking, or the development of wounds.

During the examination of the region, the anatomical characteristics of the foot are observed (whether there is any deformation), skin changes (thickening, ulcerations, calluses, cracking, wounds), skin discoloration, and whether there is any type of edema in the region.

After establishing the diagnosis, further evaluation of the condition is conducted, and a decision is made on the type of therapy or therapeutic procedure required.

Several doctors monitor this condition. The endocrinologist ensures the patient is on appropriate treatment for diabetes, as diabetes must be controlled for diabetic foot therapy to be effective. A neurological examination is needed to determine the stage of the disease and the extent of neuropathy in the affected area. A vascular surgeon is needed to determine how to treat the foot with changes to ensure healing.

Risk factors for diabetic foot include: long-term uncontrolled diabetes, age, gender, poor footwear, poor circulation, infection, foot trauma, smoking, etc.

Treating diabetic foot is very complicated because it involves a series of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Don't wait, seek advice and prevent the onset of the disease.

EliksirMedical hospital offers you the ability to handle everything in one place. Dr. Dušan Gligorijević has personally performed over two thousand operations on diabetic foot, with the highest number of patients in Serbia. Dr. Dušan Gligorijević is a specialist in general surgery, holds a Master of Medical Sciences, is a primarius, Doctor of Medical Sciences, academician of the Serbian Royal Academy of Scientists and Artists, and a judge of the Supreme Court of Honor of the Medical Chamber of Serbia. He has 40 years of professional and surgical experience.

If you have any of the mentioned symptoms or simply need a consultation, call 069/2282-900 and schedule your appointment!