Surgical management of diabetic foot and ankle infections.

Delayed treatment of any diabetic foot infection can lead to a limb- or life-threatening scenario. Urgent and/or emergent surgery may be necessary in the early diagnosis of a severe diabetic foot infection that is followed by staged reconstructive procedures. This article provides the reader with a thorough understanding of the surgical management of severe diabetic foot infections and describes and guides treatment based on a rational schematic approach that identifies the anatomic location of the diabetic foot infection.