Abstract
An infected, ischemic foot is a common occurrence amongst diabetic patients. The wound infection and the accelerated and premature peripheral vascular disease result in decreased healing capacity. These pathologic processes coupled with the fact that the foot is the most distal part of the human body and is subject to the mechanical stress of walking make the foot a primary location for ulceration and infection. The investigation of the infected ischemic foot, if done at the appropriate time and with due diligence, can allow for limb salvage and prevent amputation. This investigation consists of a general gathering of the patient’s history, a thorough and focused physical exam, laboratory testing, ancillary testing and diagnostic imaging. Although there is a great deal of overlap in the assessment of ischemia and infection, the two should be considered as distinct diagnoses and should only be evaluated together after the separate diagnoses have been made.
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Miller, S.M., Sumpio, B.J., Sumpio, B.E. (2019). Infected Ischemic Foot: Investigation. In: Edmonds, M., Sumpio, B. (eds) Limb Salvage of the Diabetic Foot. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17918-6_38
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17918-6_38
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