Diabetic Foot Ulcers – Management and Care

Diabetic ulcers are an increasingly common complication of diabetes and a sign of serious, progressive disease. Complications can be catastrophic and lead to amputation and in some case death. They have a significant impact on an individual including limiting self-care and independence. Many Aboriginal people have multiple diagnoses, many of which will increase the chances of complications arising from diabetes and may increase the risk associated with diabetic foot ulcers if they occur. For this reason, the responsibility for care and treatment is very high within an Aboriginal health service.

This module focuses on primary wound care for a diabetic ulcer. It is aimed at all those providing care to a patient with a diabetic foot ulcer.

At the end of this module participants will be able to:

• Outline effective wound management for a diabetic ulcer.
• Know how to assess a diabetic foot ulcer.
• Know how to recognise and treat an infected ulcer.
• Understand the range of dressing options available and how to select an appropriate dressing.
• Understand what offloading is.