**3. Importance of assessment**

Foot disease affects almost 6% of diabetics and is associated with infections, ulcers, or destruction of foot tissue. Most ulcers can be prevented with proper foot care and screening of foot risk factors at risk of complications [9–11]. Uncontrolled diabetes contributes to the development of neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease through complex metabolic pathways. Loss of sensation due to peripheral neuropathy, ischemia due to peripheral arterial disease, or a combination thereof can cause foot ulcers. Thorough foot examination is important for early detection of the disease. Screening

### *Assessment of Diabetic Foot DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106731*

for peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease helps identify patients at risk for foot ulcers. Assess the patient's general condition for signs of toxicity or sepsis, such as circulation or breathing, with or without malaise, poor appearance, abnormal behavior, and fever. At each follow-up schedule, examine feet for ulcers/gangrene. The purpose of screening is to identify patients who have lost foot protection [12, 13].

To identify diabetic patients at risk of ulcers, foot examinations are needed, including nervous and vascular system, skin disorders, and foot structure. According to age and length of diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, itself that affects up to 50% of diabetics and it is the most ubiquitous and crippling consequence of Diabetes mellitus. Peripheral senses (small and large nerve fibers) and motor nerves are affected by this condition, which is marked by significant axonal degeneration and segmental demyelination [14–16].
