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Introduction to Diabetic Foot Ulcers
What are the Risk Factors for Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
A risk factor is anything that increases the likelihood for developing a disease or condition, such as diabetic foot ulcers. Risk factors for diabetic foot ulcers include:
- Uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes
- How long the diabetes has been present - longer duration of diabetes increases the risk for diabetic foot ulcers
- Older age
- Male gender - men are twice as likely as women to develop diabetic foot ulcers
- Trauma to the foot (e.g., lacerations, burns; penetrating injury; insect bites)
- Untreated calluses
- Foot deformities (e.g., bunions, hammertoes; Charcot foot)
- History of previous foot ulcers
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Increased plantar foot pressures
- Poorly-fitting shoes
- Restricted joint mobility
