Answers
1)Abnormalities
- redness of skin over the dorsum of the foot with ill defined margin
-pitting edema
-Ulceration of the fourth and fifth digit.
2)Infective diabetic foot ulcer with cellulitis
3)Investigation
Blood: FBC, Blood C&S, ESR, RBS, HBa1c
Imaging: x ray of the foot (AP& Lateral view), X ray of the ankle joint (AP & lateral)
Others: ABSI, Doppler ultrasound
Management
-Evaluate the extension of the lesion to determine whether this patient needs irrigation and debridement of the dead tissue only or need amputation.
-Excise any callosity
-Rest in bed with elevation of the affected foot
-IV antibiotic to cover for the polymicrobial bacteria. i.e; gram positive, negative and anaerobic.
-Optimize the glycaemic control and patient’s condition
-Patient education on foot care.