Bone changes in diabetic foot

Abstract

The diabetic foot syndrome is associated not only with morphological changes in many structures but also with structural changes in the bone. The present paper describes bone abnormalities in diabetics, focusing on osteoporosis, osteolysis and osteitis which frequently accompany neuropathic ulceration. Bone changes in the course of Charcot neuroarthropathy, their pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and therapeutic standards, including surgical operation are also described. Moreover, attempts at skin grafts in advanced neuropathic ulcerations are presented. The opinions have been formulated on the basis of the author’s 11-year experience in the team of the Diabetic Foot Centre of the Department of Metabolic Diseases.