Overview of Diabetic Foot Care for the Nurse Practitioner

Foot and ankle complications of diabetes result in significant morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditure. Diabetes may result in foot deformity, neuropathy, and peripheral artery disease with risk of callus, foot ulcer, infection, and subsequent amputation. Appropriate patient education, medical management, and use of therapeutic footwear can prevent many diabetic foot complications. Nurse practitioners are key members of foot care teams in both primary and specialty care. The nurse practitioner managing a patient’s diabetes is an appropriate provider to certify the need for diabetic shoes and should be authorized to do so to provide quality care without unnecessary delay.