Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (14): 2291-2296.doi: 10.12307/2023.483

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Introduction to the ANTI∙DF principle for diabetic foot prevention and treatment

Li Rui, Ou Xiaolan, Liu Jun, Tian Heng, Qu Wenrui, Zhu Zhe, Zhang Zhenyu, Liu Qianqian, Guo Wenlai   

  1. Department of Hand Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130022, Jilin Province, China
  • Received:2022-08-12 Accepted:2022-08-25 Online:2023-05-18 Published:2022-09-30
  • Contact: Li Rui, Department of Hand Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130022, Jilin Province, China
  • About author:Li Rui, MD, Department of Hand Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130022, Jilin Province, China

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot has serious mortality and disability rate. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize and understand how to prevent and treat diabetic foot, thereby providing some ideas and directions for the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the etiology, prevention measures, and treatments of diabetic foot, thus proposing the academic viewpoints of the ANTI∙DF principle to guide the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot.
METHODS: As per the ANTI∙DF principle, we summarized several aspects such as deformity caused by diabetes, foot ulcer caused by deformity, treatment and prevention of diabetic foot. With reference to relevant international and Chinese guidelines and literature, 73 articles were selected from the Chinese and English databases according to the inclusion criteria and were used to summarize the principles of diabetic foot prevention and treatment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There are 10 factors related to the formation of diabetic foot wounds and refractory wounds: artery, nerve, tissue nonviable, infection or inflammation, muscle, osteoarticular lesion, subcutaneous tissue, tendon, deformity, and foot ulcer. The 10 factors hereinafter will be represented by their initials, which can be summarized as the ANTI∙MOST∙DF principle. Deformity (D) includes the morphological changes of the four anatomical structures – MOST. Therefore, these four factors, MOST, can be simplified and the principle is referred to as the ANTI∙DF principles. Etiologically, among the six factors of the ANTI∙DF principle, deformity (D, including the morphological changes of the four anatomical structures of MOST) is the “real culprit,” and neurological (N) lesions are the “crime culprit.” Arterial (A) ischemia often acts as the “accomplice.” Tissue (T) necrosis, infection (I), and foot ulcers (F) are only “external manifestations.” From the perspective of diabetic foot prevention and treatment, relieving the pressure caused by deformity (D), improving neuroprotection (N) function, and restoring arterial (A) blood supply are the premises for the prevention and treatment of necrotic tissue, infection or inflammation, and foot ulcers (TIF). Debridement of necrotic tissue (T) is the prerequisite for infection (I) control; debridement of necrotic tissue (T) and infection (I) control are the prerequisite for closure of foot ulcers (F). The ANTI∙DF principle is expected to provide clinical practitioners with a basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of diabetic foot, to achieve rapid wound healing and prevent recurrence in patients with diabetic foot.

Key words: diabetic foot, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic peripheral vascular disease, foot deformities, plantar high pressure, foot ulcer, infection, treatment

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