Diabetic Foot Ulcer Beyond Wound Closure

Clinical Practice Guideline

Wendland, Deborah M PT, DPT, PhD
Altenburger, Elizabeth A PT, MSPT, Certified Wound Specialist
Swen, Shelley B PT, DPT, Certified Wound Specialist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist-Lymphology Association of North America
Haan, Jaimee D PT, MBA, Certified Wound Specialist

Department of Physical Therapy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States
Rehabilitation Services, Academic Health Center and Saxony, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
Desert Oasis Healthcare, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
Rehabilitation, Wound Management and Fitness, Academic Health Center, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States

Corresponding author: Dr Wendland, Department of Physical Therapy, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Dr. Davis Building, Ste 100 Atlanta, GA 30341, United States ([email protected])

Received December 13, 2023

Received in revised form June 28, 2024

Accepted July 30, 2024

Revised January 08, 2025

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. For commercial re-use, please contact [email protected]

Physical Therapy 105(1), January 2025. | DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzae171

Lay Summary

This Clinical Practice Guideline recommends that physical fitness and activity are included and measured for adults who have diabetes with and without foot ulceration. Exercise and physical activity should be prescribed according to the individual’s current condition, physiologic response to exercise, and preference to optimize long-term quality of life and reduce health care costs.