Management of the diabetic foot ulcer: exercising control.

The incidence of diabetes is increasing and therefore patients with diabetic foot ulcers will become increasingly common in the community. The NHS model of Health and Social Care (Department of Health (DH), 2005) places a high emphasis on self care and disease management, and, as a long-term condition, diabetes mellitus requires efficient and effective management. The supervision and organization of the care of diabetic patients is multi-factorial and for this reason, a multi-disciplinary approach is essential for effective care, without which patients with diabetic foot ulcers are at high risk of complications. Diabetic wounds present differently to other chronic wounds; unless these are adequately assessed and treated, there may be devastating consequences for the patient--the most serious being major amputation and/or death. In the first article, accurate assessment was discussed; in this second article, the management of diabetic foot ulcers is explored.