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Diagnosis of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Classification of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Although several different classification systems have been developed for diabetic foot ulcers (e.g., Wagner-Meggitt; University of Texas), currently none of these classification systems has bee accepted universally. In general, diabetic foot ulcers are classified as either:
- Neuropathic - if caused by peripheral neuropathy
- Ischemic - if caused by peripheral arterial disease
- Neuro-ischemic - if caused by a combination of the above
Differentiating between a "neuropathic" ulcer and an "ischemic" ulcer is important from a clinical perspective because it has a direct impact on the approach to treatment. Whereas the treatment of a neuropathic ulcer is primarily medical, the treatment of an ischemic ulcer usually requires vascular surgery (revascularization) in order to restore adequate blood flow to the affected limb.
