What further improvements are needed in diabetic foot care?
Despite all of the breakthroughs, our national patchwork medical system is seeing an epidemic of diabetes-related amputations. In 2000, the number of amputation surgeries in this population reached an all-time high of 100,000. Foot-related pathology is the number one reason for hospital admissions of diabetic patients in this country. I truly believe and have personally witnessed that great benefits can accrue for all physicians when we train together. Historically, the general medical community has not always done a thorough job of treating foot pathology, and podiatrists are vital team members for diabetes management. Seattle podiatrists have an excellent relationship with other members of the medical community, and most of this is because we share mutual training through the University of Washington residency programs.
