Towards Extending Ulcer-Free Days in Remission in the Diabetic Foot Syndrome

Management of the diabetic foot is multifaceted and requires constant monitoring from patients and health care providers. The alarmingly high rates of diabetic foot ulcer recurrence are an indication for a change that we need to bring about in our approach to care and to the use of vernacular in the medical literature. With its high rates of morbidity and recidivism, care of the complex diabetic foot may be aptly comparable to many forms of cancer. Therefore, our efforts should be not only to achieve rapid healing of open wounds but also to maximize the number of ulcer-free days for the patient in diabetic foot remission. Novel approaches in surgical techniques and advances in wearable technology appear to show promise in measuring inflammation and modulating dangerous pressures to extend remission and improve quality of life for these most complex patients.