Ischemic disease of lower extremities is a further complication of atherosclerosis. This disease develops when blood flow is restricted in the lower extremities due to narrowed or completely obstructed blood vessels. As a result, the distal parts of the lower extremities often suffer from blood deficiency (a lack of nutrition and oxygen) and are more susceptible to wounds that are often difficult to heal.
When diabetic neuropathy is present in these patients, the risk of wounding increases and the corresponding capacity to heal is lower. The defects occurring in patients so affected are generally referred to as diabetic foot syndrome – a combination of ischemie, artherosclerosis, and diabetic polyneuropathy.