Diabetic foot ulceration: The impact of oedema

The impact of diabetic foot disease on people with diabetes is profound and is associated with disability, amputation and premature death (National Diabetes Foot Care Audit Report, 2016). Diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) is common in people with diabetes, with around 10% of this group having a foot ulceration at some point in their lifetime (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2015). There are significant costs to the NHS in caring for patients with DFU; with annual costs estimated at £650 million; equating to £1 in every £150 spent by the NHS (Kerr, 2012). Delayed healing is a common factor with DFU; Guest, Fuller and Vowden (2017) report that only 35% of patients with DFU will heal within a 12-month period. This article looks at the importance of oedema management and encourages practitioners to actively undertake education and training in the science and art of compression therapy.