[Diabetic foot].

Diabetes is a chronic disease secondary to the interaction of the hereditary and environmental factors and is characterized by an abnormal secretion of insulin or by an ineffective use of this hormone. The result is the elevation of glycemia rate (N < 126 mg/dl). Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to serious complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, atherosclerosis, foot lesions (ulcer, infections, Charcot's arthropathy), even to amputations. The diabetes is a worldwide pandemic: 150 million people in the world, which will double in the next twenty-five years. The diabetes foots have a tremendous social and economic impact. The mechanisms which are implicated in development of the diabetic foot are the neuropathy and the arteriopathy. Lesions appear in the presence of the triggering factors. Diabetes is a disease in which several specialities are implicated. They should work together when treating these patients. Prevention is essential. The patient must be educated, then the complications of diabetes can be avoided.