Neurocirculatory disorders of the foot.

There is a simple rationale for care of the dysvascular neuropathic foot. Either prevention or correction of deformities, or both, is of primary importance in the insensitive or poorly healing foot. Control of edema is necessary to achieve maximum healing potential. There are tools at hand to allow the orthopedic surgeon to judge arterial supply in addition to his clinical judgment. Interest in defensive footwear, appreciation of interface forces, and the application of standard operative techniques to this ever-present population can result in significant improvement in patient care.