*5.3.4 Laser Doppler techniques*

Laser Doppler flowmetry is used to measure the local microcirculatory blood perfusion by using a beam of Laser light which is partially absorbed when it hits the tissue being evaluated, to a depth of up to 1 mm. The change in wavelength like magnitude and frequency can be converted into a measurement thereby representing the relative perfusion than absolute values. It has been used to identify poor perfusion in lower extremity ulcers [43].

Hence a comprehensive assessment of foot perfusion in Diabetes patients should therefore include anatomical assessments of structural arterial disease combined with evaluation of regional tissue perfusion. The most commonly available techniques also have certain limitations while relating to the complexity of Diabetes. Novel techniques which are meant to assess muscle and deep tissue perfusion are under the process of development, which are more likely to be used widely in the near future.
