Diabetic foot is a major and frequently occurring complication of diabetes mellitus, significantly contributing to patient morbidity, increased hospital admissions, and a higher risk of lower limb amputations. Timely identification and proper management are crucial to halt disease progression and enhance patient outcomes. This descriptive study focuses on examining current practices and advancements in the diagnosis and management of diabetic foot within clinical settings. The study highlights modern methods used for the detection of diabetic foot conditions, including thorough clinical evaluation, risk assessment, and the application of diagnostic tools such as imaging and vascular studies. It also explores recent management approaches, including effective wound care, infection prevention and control, pressure offloading techniques, blood glucose regulation, and patient education. Special attention is given to the role of a multidisciplinary team – comprising doctors, nurses, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals – in delivering comprehensive and coordinated care. Findings indicate that early screening, regular foot examination, and prompt intervention play a crucial role in reducing complications. Advanced wound care methods, including the use of modern dressings and adjunct therapies, have improved healing outcomes. Additionally, patient awareness and self-care practices are identified as key components in preventing recurrence and promoting long-term foot health. The study highlights that adopting evidence-based and patient-centered approaches significantly enhances the quality of care for individuals with diabetic foot. It underscores the importance of integrating modern diagnostic techniques with effective management strategies to reduce the burden of complications. Ongoing patient education, timely identification of complications, and well-coordinated healthcare services play a vital role in enhancing treatment outcomes and improving the overall quality of life for individuals with diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetic foot, wound management, early diagnosis, foot care, multidisciplinary approach

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1. Kumbhar S, Bhatia M. Advancements and best practices in diabetic foot care: A comprehensive review of global progress. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2024 Nov;217:111845. doi: 1016/j.diabres.2024.111845. Epub 2024 Sep 5. PMID:39243866.
2. Jain TR, Jhala MP. Knowledge of diabetic foot care among diabetic individuals of Ahmedabad. Int J Health Sci Res. 2022 Aug 10;12(8):39–44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr
3. Venkatesh B. Textbook of medical surgical nursing. 1st ed. Allwin Medical Book Publishers; p. 358–359.
4. Complications of diabetes [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2026 May 9]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complications_of_diabetes
5. Diabetes foot care guidelines - Foot Health Facts [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2026 May 9]. Available from: https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/diabetic-foot-care-guidelines
6. Cleveland Clinic. A1C and estimated average glucose levels [Image]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/-/scassets/images/org/health/articles/9731-a1c-glucose-levels
7. Steps to help you stay healthy with diabetes [Internet]. Diabetes. 2024 [cited 2026 May 9]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/caring/steps-to-help-you-stay-healthy-with-diabetes.html.
8. How to refine your approach to peripheral arterial disease. J Fam Pract. 2020 Dec;69(10):500–506. doi: 10.12788/jfp.0115. Available from: https://www.mdedge.com/ familymedicine/article/233429/mixed-topics/how-refine-your-approach-to-peripheral-arterial-disease/page/0/3.
9. ABI (Ankle Brachial Index) [Internet]. Available from:

https://quizlet.com/148694472/abi-ankle-brachial-index-flash-cards/

10. ICAS Lab. Transcutaneous oxygen monitoring [Internet]. Available from:

https://icaslab.org/research/transcutaneous-oxygen-monitoring/

11. ID Care. Diabetic foot infection: Risk, treatment, and prevention [Internet]. Available from: https:// com/services/wound-care-services/diabetic-foot-infection-risk-treatment-and-prevention/.
12. Kaboudari A. Schematic of maggot therapy and sterilization to prevent related infections [Image]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ata-Kaboudari/publication/347459425/figure/ fig1/AS:970102363148289@1608301835339/Schematic-of-maggot-therapy-and-sterilization-to-prevent-related-infections.jpg.
13. Be Side Wound Care. Wound debridement [Image]. Available from: https://bedsidewoundcare. com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Wound-Debridement.jpg.
14. Wound products [Image]. Available from: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/ woundproducts-150408191233-conversion-gate01/85/Wound-products-9-320.jpg.
15. Parveen K, Hussain MA, Anwar S, Elagib HM, Kausar MA. Comprehensive review on diabetic foot ulcers and neuropathy: Treatment, prevention and management. World J Diabetes. 2025 Mar 15;16(3):100329. doi: 4239/wjd.v16.i3.100329. PMID:40093290; PMCID:PMC11885961.
16. Paul AG, Ahmad NW, Lee HL, Ariff AM, Saranum M, Naicker AS, et al. Maggot debridement therapy with Lucilia cuprina: A comparison with conventional debridement in diabetic foot ulcers. Int Wound J. 2009 Feb;6(1):39–46. doi: 1111/j.1742-481X.2008.00564.x. PMID:19291114; PMCID:PMC7951282.

Diabetic foot is a major and frequently occurring complication of diabetes mellitus, significantly contributing to patient morbidity, increased hospital admissions, and a higher risk of lower limb amputations. Timely identification and proper management are crucial to halt disease progression and enhance patient outcomes. This descriptive study focuses on examining current practices and advancements in the diagnosis and management of diabetic foot within clinical settings. The study highlights modern methods used for the detection of diabetic foot conditions, including thorough clinical evaluation, risk assessment, and the application of diagnostic tools such as imaging and vascular studies. It also explores recent management approaches, including effective wound care, infection prevention and control, pressure offloading techniques, blood glucose regulation, and patient education. Special attention is given to the role of a multidisciplinary team – comprising doctors, nurses, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals – in delivering comprehensive and coordinated care. Findings indicate that early screening, regular foot examination, and prompt intervention play a crucial role in reducing complications. Advanced wound care methods, including the use of modern dressings and adjunct therapies, have improved healing outcomes. Additionally, patient awareness and self-care practices are identified as key components in preventing recurrence and promoting long-term foot health. The study highlights that adopting evidence-based and patient-centered approaches significantly enhances the quality of care for individuals with diabetic foot. It underscores the importance of integrating modern diagnostic techniques with effective management strategies to reduce the burden of complications. Ongoing patient education, timely identification of complications, and well-coordinated healthcare services play a vital role in enhancing treatment outcomes and improving the overall quality of life for individuals with diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetic foot, wound management, early diagnosis, foot care, multidisciplinary approach

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Kumbhar S, Bhatia M. Advancements and best practices in diabetic foot care: A comprehensive review of global progress. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2024 Nov;217:111845. doi: 1016/j.diabres.2024.111845. Epub 2024 Sep 5. PMID:39243866.
2. Jain TR, Jhala MP. Knowledge of diabetic foot care among diabetic individuals of Ahmedabad. Int J Health Sci Res. 2022 Aug 10;12(8):39–44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr
3. Venkatesh B. Textbook of medical surgical nursing. 1st ed. Allwin Medical Book Publishers; p. 358–359.
4. Complications of diabetes [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2026 May 9]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complications_of_diabetes
5. Diabetes foot care guidelines - Foot Health Facts [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2026 May 9]. Available from: https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/diabetic-foot-care-guidelines
6. Cleveland Clinic. A1C and estimated average glucose levels [Image]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/-/scassets/images/org/health/articles/9731-a1c-glucose-levels
7. Steps to help you stay healthy with diabetes [Internet]. Diabetes. 2024 [cited 2026 May 9]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/caring/steps-to-help-you-stay-healthy-with-diabetes.html.
8. How to refine your approach to peripheral arterial disease. J Fam Pract. 2020 Dec;69(10):500–506. doi: 10.12788/jfp.0115. Available from: https://www.mdedge.com/ familymedicine/article/233429/mixed-topics/how-refine-your-approach-to-peripheral-arterial-disease/page/0/3.
9. ABI (Ankle Brachial Index) [Internet]. Available from:

https://quizlet.com/148694472/abi-ankle-brachial-index-flash-cards/

10. ICAS Lab. Transcutaneous oxygen monitoring [Internet]. Available from:

https://icaslab.org/research/transcutaneous-oxygen-monitoring/

11. ID Care. Diabetic foot infection: Risk, treatment, and prevention [Internet]. Available from: https:// com/services/wound-care-services/diabetic-foot-infection-risk-treatment-and-prevention/.
12. Kaboudari A. Schematic of maggot therapy and sterilization to prevent related infections [Image]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ata-Kaboudari/publication/347459425/figure/ fig1/AS:970102363148289@1608301835339/Schematic-of-maggot-therapy-and-sterilization-to-prevent-related-infections.jpg.
13. Be Side Wound Care. Wound debridement [Image]. Available from: https://bedsidewoundcare. com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Wound-Debridement.jpg.
14. Wound products [Image]. Available from: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/ woundproducts-150408191233-conversion-gate01/85/Wound-products-9-320.jpg.
15. Parveen K, Hussain MA, Anwar S, Elagib HM, Kausar MA. Comprehensive review on diabetic foot ulcers and neuropathy: Treatment, prevention and management. World J Diabetes. 2025 Mar 15;16(3):100329. doi: 4239/wjd.v16.i3.100329. PMID:40093290; PMCID:PMC11885961.
16. Paul AG, Ahmad NW, Lee HL, Ariff AM, Saranum M, Naicker AS, et al. Maggot debridement therapy with Lucilia cuprina: A comparison with conventional debridement in diabetic foot ulcers. Int Wound J. 2009 Feb;6(1):39–46. doi: 1111/j.1742-481X.2008.00564.x. PMID:19291114; PMCID:PMC7951282.