The Histology of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetic patients are predisposed to peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, infection, and impaired healing with 45-70 % of all lower limb amputations being performed in these individuals.1 Foot ulcers commonly arise in the diabetic patient with neuropathy, usually at sites of repeated trauma, such as toes, heels and metatarsal heads on the plantar surface of the foot. Although a great deal Is known about the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, the histopathological findings have been controversial, with the majority of reports concentrating on the kidney and eye. Many of those which refer to skin were published more than 30 years ago. Small vessel disease may be an intrinsic and fundamental step in the development of diabetic complications/ however few studies have confirmed this theory.2.3 The aim of the present study is to address this deficiency in diabetic patients by examining biopsies taken from:

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