The diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is a complication of diabetes mellitus, implying a serious impairment in quality of life for patients in advanced stages of the disease. Early detection of risks and stage-appropriate intervention are essential to increase the chances of foot salvage. The pathophysiological conditions for the formation of a DFS and treatment guidelines are currently underestimated. Up to 80 % of amputations are preventable if appropriate therapeutic steps were initiated on time in patients with DFS as part of a multidisciplinary approach. By proper prevention, the number of patients with DFS as well as the risk of recurrent ulcers can be reduced. This CME article gives an overview of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and prevention of DFS.
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