Table 4 Assessment and management of diabetic foot ulceration

Believe foot ulcers to be serious requiring immediate management?

6 (5 – 7)

7 (6 – 7)

6.5 (5 – 7)

<0.001

Grade foot ulcer severity based on depth, infection status and peripheral arterial disease status?

6 (4 – 7)

7 (6 – 7)

6 (4 – 7)

<0.001

Grade foot ulcer severity according to the University of Texas Wound Classification System?

4 (1 – 6)

6 (4 – 7)

2 (1 – 4)

<0.001

Perform sharp debridement of non-ischaemic ulcers?

7 (6 – 7)

7 (6 – 7)

6 (5.5 – 7)

0.022

Use topical hydrogel dressings for autolytic debridement of non-ischaemic ulcers?

4 (2 – 5)

4 (3 – 5)

4 (2 – 5)

0.395

Use wound dressings that create a moist wound environment for non-ischaemic ulcers?

6 (5 – 7)

6 (6 – 7)

6 (4 – 7)

< 0.001

Use wound dressings that maintain a dry wound environment for ischaemic ulcers?

5 (3 – 6)

6 (5 – 7)

5 (3 – 6)

< 0.001

Believe that offloading in order to reduce pressure at the ulcer site is necessary to aid healing?

7 (6.5 – 7)

7 (7 – 7)

7 (6 – 7)

0.177

Use total contact casting?

1 (1 – 3)

3 (1 – 4)

1 (1 – 2.5)

< 0.001

Use a removable cast walker rendered irremovable or instant total contact cast?

2 (1 – 4)

4 (2 – 5)

2 (1 – 4)

< 0.001

Use a removable offloading device (for example orthoses, felt, shoe modifications)?

6 (5 – 7)

6 (5 – 6)

6 (5 – 6)

0.781