Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Article Critique Example

Woo, K.Y., Santos, V., & Gamba, M. (2013). Understanding diabetic foot ulcers. Nursing, 43(10), 36-42.

This article addresses the significance of diabetic foot ulcers and how diabetics are at a high risk of developing these ulcers as a consequence of the disease. The article begins with a summary of diabetes-related risks and complications and aims to provide an overview of the different areas that impact patients whose condition is at an advanced level, including a high risk of pressure ulcers (Woo et.al, 2013). The article emphasizes neuropathy and how patients experience nerve dysfunction in different forms, such as autonomic, motor, or sensory, along with summaries of each type and the complications that may arise (Woo et.al, 2013). The article also emphasizes different types of vascular changes that might occur and how they impact patients, including a risk of accelerated atherosclerosis in some patients (Woo et.al, 2013). The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is addressed as method of identifying the potential for peripheral artery disease (PAD), along with pulsed-wave Doppler to further determine this diagnosis (Woo et.al, 2013).

The article also addresses the different types of treatments that are available for diabetic foot ulcers and the options that are available to treat the condition effectively, such as plantar pressure redistribution, surgical debridement of calluses and other factors to promote healing in patients (Woo et.al, 2013). The article also provides methods to combat infection, including antibiotics and antiseptics in order to reduce the number of bacteria that are present (Woo et.al, 2013). Finally, the article provides a summary of the twelve steps of foot care to promote improved ulcer prevention in diabetic patients who face this risk on a continuous basis (Woo et.al, 2013).

Journal Critique

This article provides an important and detailed analysis of diabetic foot ulcers and describes some of the most important areas that must be considered when treating patients with the condition, as well as methods to prevent these ulcers to begin with. The article places an important emphasis on the risks associated with the formation of diabetic foot ulcers and the creation of treatments that will be effective in accommodating patients who have this condition. The article provides information that is useful to the healthcare provider in regards to diabetic foot ulcers, particularly how these ulcers develop and some of the primary risk factors that impact patient health. There is considerable attention paid to the different types of neuropathy and the different issues that are likely to impact patients because they face these challenges, in addition to other factors that have a significant impact on patient outcomes for these patients.

The article also addresses the significant vascular changes that might occur in patients with diabetic foot ulcers, along with the diagnostic tools and techniques that are available to determine the level of vascular damage that has occurred. In addition, treatment methods for the condition are described and relevant for the reader in order to determine how to address this condition more effectively. The article’s description of infection related to this condition is also important and sheds some light regarding how to minimize infection as best as possible. The author ends the article with a concept known as the “12 S’s of Foot Care” which describes some of the basic principles of caring for the feet in order to prevent complications such as diabetic foot ulcers. This article provides information in a manner that is clear, concise, and relatively easy to understand for the healthcare professional who is required to work with patients who have diabetic foot ulcers.

References

Woo, K.Y., Santos, V., & Gamba, M. (2013). Understanding diabetic foot ulcers. Nursing, 43(10), 36-42.