Assessing the feet of patients with diabetes

Diabetic foot complications are common and often result in recurrent morbid events. Several studies have indicated that prevention practices are effective in preventing the development of foot ulcers and amputations. The first step in a lower-extremity ulcer prevention program is a systematic foot examination and risk stratification to select patients for more intensive prevention efforts. We provide current information on the components that should be indicated in a lower-extremity screening history and physical evaluation and a diabetic foot risk-classification scheme.