Lecture 16 - Diabetic Feet Infections Flashcards
Diabetic feet infections normally begin with ______ which is often secondary to ______ or _______
Neuropathic ulceration
Neuropathy or trauma
T/F: Diabetic foot complications are the main reason for diabetes-related hospitalizations and lower extremity amputations.
True
The principal pathogenic factors in diabetic foot disease are:
Sensory neuropathy
Ischemia
Infection
Ulceration is a consequence of…
The loss of awareness of trauma that can cause skin breakdown
What plays a central role in diabetic foot lesions?
Peripheral neuropathy
In order to test for neuropathy, clinicians use an inexpensive nylon monofilament test. It measures a patient’s risk for _______ and should be performed ______.
Ulceration
Annually
Local ulcer care includes:
sharp debridement and proper wound coverage which helps wound healing and removes bacteria
Management of ulcers consists of
Assessing ulcer for infection
local care
mechanical offloading
Name some of the inframalleolar infections common in diabetes patients.
paronychia cellulitis myositis abscesses necrotizing fasciitis septic arthritis tendonitis osteomyelitis Mal perforans foot ulcer
Outline how a breach in skin integrity allows for deeper colonization and infection.
- Infection (ex. in nail bed) or bacteria on skin
- Broken skin = portal of entry
- Organism/infection penetrates muscle
- Organism grows and spreads
- Body responds to bacteria in deeper parts of muscle
What are the risk factors for foot ulceration and infection?
peripheral motor neuropathy peripheral sensory neuropathy peripheral autonomic neuropathy neuro-osteoarthritic deformities or limited joint mobility vascular (arterial) insufficiency hyperglycemia and other metabolic derangements patient disabilities maladaptive patient behaviors health care system failures
peripheral motor neuropathy
abnormal foot anatomy and biomechanics (ex. clawing toes, high arch, etc.), may lead to excess pressure, callus formation, and ulcers
*may see a change in foot architecture from holding foot in awkward position, which puts pressure on areas that shouldn’t have pressure (slide 9)
peripheral sensory neuropathy
lack of protective sensation, leads to unattended minor injuries
peripheral autonomic neuropathy
deficient sweating, leads to drying and cracking skin
*risk for necrotizing fasciitis
neuro-osteoarthritic deformities or limited joint mobility
abnormal anatomy and biomechanics, may lead to excess pressure
vascular (arterial) insufficiency
impaired tissue viability, wound healing, and delivery of neutrophils
hyperglycemia and other metabolic derangements
impaired immunological function and wound healing and excess collagen cross-linking
patient disabilities
reduced vision, limited mobility, and previous amputations
maladaptive patient behaviors
inadequate adherence to precautionary measures and foot inspection and hygiene measures, poor medical care compliance, excessive weight bearing, inappropriate activities, and poor footwear
health care system failures
inadequate patient education and monitoring of glycemic control and foot care
Signs of infection:
Redness Warmth Swelling/induration Tenderness/pain Purulence
Must have 2 or more symptoms according to IDSA DFI
Signs of infection in patients with neuropathy:
Nonpurulent secretions
Friable/discolored granulation tissue
Undermining of wound edges
Foul odor
IDSA Severity of Infection: Grade 1
Uninfected
No signs or symptoms
IDSA Severity of Infection: Grade 2
Mild
local infection only involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue
erythema around ulcer
exclude other cause of inflammation
IDSA Severity of Infection: Grade 3
Moderate
local infection with erythema > 2cm or in deeper than skin and subcutaneous tissue
no systemic inflammatory response signs
IDSA Severity of Infection: Grade 4
Severe
Local infection with signs of SIRS (must have more than 2: fever, elevated resting heart rate, rapid shallow breathing, elevated WBC)
Who to hospitalize:
Patients with severe infection
patients with a moderate infection and complicating features (severe PAD, no home support)
noncompliant patient w/ outpatient treatment
patients with mild infections
T/F: Patients with a moderate infection can be treated as outpatients.
TRUE as long as they are able to adhere to medical therapy and do not have critical limb ischemia or need surgical intervention.