THE DIABETIC FOOt

flow to heal. Diabetic neuropathic ulcers resulting from increased pressure due to osseous deformities may require a variety of podiatric surgical interventions, conservative methods to offload the area, such as total contact Partial lower limb amputation is a common outcome in the high risk patient with lower extremity chronic ulcerations, ischemia, and infection. The significant decline in the quality of life and economic burden caused by lower extremity infections leading to amputations in the high risk population warrants further study in order to better understand the elements that improve limb viability and the causal factors related to major limb loss (below or above the knee). The unfortunate pathway to amputation in the high risk patient with a lower limb ulceration or infection can be caused by major and minor etiologies, mainly diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The literature recognizes that approximately 80%-85% of non-traumatic