Table 1.

Causation and management of pressure ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers

	Pressure ulcer	Diabetic foot ulcer
Prime responsibility	Nurse	Podiatrist
Causation—mechanical	Pressure, shear and friction Prolonged loading	Pressure, shear and friction High rate loading applied in a repetitive manner Ill-fitting shoes
Causation—microclimate	Temperature, humidity, incontinence	Temperature, humidity
Intrinsic factors	Immobility Insensitive	Structural deformity e.g. Rheumatoid, Charcot’s foot Neuropathic, Peripheral arterial disease
Tissue susceptibility	Reduction in stiffness Tissue atrophy	Increase in stiffness Tissue migration
Management	Immersion, pressure redistribution, alternating pressure	Pressure redistribution, total casts