Foot ulcers in diabetes are common, but the factors which lead to their development are poorly understood and there are no clear guidelines for management. The majority are cared for by doctors, nurses and chiropodists working in primary care and without a specialist interest in the field and it is for these that this book is intended. The authors have based the work on over ten years' experience in running a specialist multidisciplinary service for the management of these problems and include numerous illustrations obtained in clinical practice. This is essentially a colour atlas of lesions of the diabetic foot, using pictures to demonstrate the wide variation in ulcers which may be encountered and to outline a logical approach to management. The processes which lead to the development of ulcers are described, as well as the many factors which prevent their healing. Detailed attention is paid to factors which most concern those working in primary care: choice of dressings, antibiotics and guidelines for follow-up and specialist referral. Detailed attention is also paid to educational aspects and to strategies for both primary and secondary prevention. This book therefore combines the principles of a colour atlas with those of a practical manual offering doctors, nurses and chiropodists clear guidance on the assessment and management of lesions of the diabetic foot. The work should be of interest to diabetologists, nurses, chiropodists and podiatrists.
