32
Treatment
5.8. Preventive Foot Care for PAD
COR LOE
Recommendations
1 C-LD
1. In patients with PAD, providing general preventive foot
self-care education to patients and their family members and
support persons is recommended.
1 C-EO
2. In patients with PAD, foot inspection by a clinician at every
visit is recommended.
1 C-LD
3. In patients with PAD at high risk for ulcers and amputation
(Table 12), therapeutic footwear is recommended.
1 C-EO
4. In patients with PAD, a comprehensive foot evaluation
(Table 13) should be performed at least annually to identify
risk factors for ulcers and amputation.
2a B-NR
5. In patients with PAD, referral to a foot care specialist, when
available, is reasonable for ongoing preventive care and
longitudinal surveillance.
Table 12. Risk Factors for Development of Foot Ulcers or
Amputation Among Patients With PAD
History of previous foot ulcer(s) or amputation (minor or major)
Charcot or other foot deformities
Diabetes with poor glycemic control
CKD (especially if ESKD)
Peripheral neuropathy (especially with loss of protective sensation)
Corns or calluses on the feet (considered preulcerous lesions in patients with PAD)
Ongoing smoking
