Diabetic Foot Surgery

Patient with diabetes sometimes have foot problems which can arise due to changes in sensation. Diabetes can damage the small nerves and blood vessels in the foot which leads to loss of the normal joint protective mechanisms. This can lead to damage to the small joints of the foot. This process is known as charcot neuroarthropathy.

Diabetic patients can have a variety of foot problems and as such there are a variety of operations that may be required.

Where possible the aim would be to do these operations using a minimally invasive technique. As diabetic patients have higher rates of wound complications that non-diabetic patients.

Success rates: a small number of patients have a complication after diabetic foot surgery

Pre-operatively it is critical to control blood sugar levels, this would typically in conjunction with your endocrinologist/diabetes specialist and in some cases we would organise a review with a perioperative physician.

Risks of surgery

  • Swelling, stiffness

  • Infection

  • Wound healing problems or infection

  • Scar sensitivity

  • Ongoing pain

  • Secondary surgery including removal of hardware

  • Bony non-union or malunion

Download post operative care guide