Is diabetic foot care efficacious or cost effective?

The incidence of diabetes-related lower extremity amputations continues to increase in the developed and developing world, costing nearly $2 billion and an estimated 2,600 patient-years of hospital stay per year in the United States alone. However, the federal government and private healthcare providers fail to place preventative intervention high on their respective healthcare policy agendas. This manuscript briefly evaluates literature that might support or refute the value of structured, regular care of the diabetic foot and wound. Although the literature is still glaringly sparse, an emerging body of research supports the fact that aggressive, proactive care may result in fewer lower extremity amputations and possibly a higher quality and quantity of life for patients with diabetes.