Mobilität und kardiovaskuläre Fitness – Bedeutung für die Behandlung und Prävention des diabetischen Fußsyndroms

People with diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) have a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality than people without DFS. In order to positively influence this negative prognostic factor but also to maintain mobility in everyday life, the advice generally given of minimizing weight on the foot by largely stopping physical activity is counterproductive. This usually means a significant restriction in the normal living environment for those affected, including an increased risk of falls, for example, due to muscle loss and a deterioration in stability and gait. Maintaining weightbearing activities is therefore a primary goal of treatment. The challenge is to reconcile the two requirements of complete and uninterrupted pressure relief, while maintaining mobility. This is usually possible by using felted foam pads as part of the wound dressing. During inpatient treatment, the patient requires strength, endurance, and gait training to ensure that the patient is mobile again when discharged. To prevent foot lesions in people at risk, guidelines now recommend increasing the range of motion and using special foot and movement exercises.