Long standing diabetes has serious effects on the foot and ankle. Patients with long standing uncontrolled diabetes can suffer from peripheral neuropathy which can lead to foot ulcers anc bone destruction (Charcot arthropathy).
Management of these problems needs a careful multidisciplinary approach involving diabetologists, vascular surgeons and Orthopaedic surgeons.
Limb salvage (avoiding amputation) can be achieved in a good percentage of cases with proper assessment and treatment.