Adult foot radiographs

A retrospective clinical audit of the adequacy of adult foot radiographs for diabetic feet

Published on March 1, 2022

Diabetes is a medical condition where an abnormal amount of glucose is found in the bloodstream caused by an imbalance of the hormone, insulin1. Diabetes affects 3.8 million people over the age of 16, with 90% of these having type two diabetes2. There is a relationship between increasing age and a higher prevalence, “9.0% aged 45 to 54 and 23.8% aged 75 years and older” (p5)2.

People with diabetes (both type one and type two) are at risk of complications to the feet caused by peripheral neuropathy. Mishra et al3 describes how this loss of sensation can lead to patients being unaware of injury, which further leads to foot ulcers, infections and ultimately amputations. One in 15 people with diabetes will have their quality of life impaired by foot ulcers.

Podiatrists and diagnostic radiographers form part of a...

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