John M. Embil, M.D., FRCPC
Kristin S. Reid, BSc (Med)
Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine,
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB

Introduction
The term "diabetic foot" is somewhat misleading as this would imply that it is only the foot that suffers from diabetes. In reality, diabetes mellitus, a multi-system disease resulting from altered glycemic control either from a complete absence of insulin production (type 1) or from relative insulin resistance (type 2). Regardless of whether diabetes has its onset during childhood or in the adult years, it is associated with a multitude of end organ complications which may have devastating consequences. The goal with any chronic disease is to manage optimally the underlying condition so to prevent complications. The same holds true for diabetes and complications affecting the foot.