Abstract

Older individuals with diabetes appear to bear a particular burden of complications affecting the lower limbs. This has major medical, social and economic consequences. Although it is often stated that diabetic foot ulcers are essentially preventable, this does have important implications for service delivery in identifying at-risk individuals. In addition, complicating factors related to old age, such as cognitive impairment, poor vision, immobility and social isolation need to be considered by those caring for this population. In this article, we describe the pathophysiology of diabetic foot disease, the need for identification of established risk factors and prevention and treatment options with special consideration given to the elderly.