Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in the world today and its prevalence is increasing. Foot and ankle complications, including infection, are the most common reason for hospital admission in patients with diabetes mellitus in the United States and are commonly encountered by the foot and ankle surgeon. Thorough clinical examination with appropriate use of adjunctive laboratory and imaging studies can allow for early diagnosis and treatment, which can improve patient outcomes. Mild infections can often be treated on an outpatient basis with oral antibiotics and local debridement, whereas more severe infections require hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, and surgical debridement to fully eradicate the infection. Despite proper treatment, amputation is still common in diabetics.
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