The podiatric surgeon frequently utilizes partial ray amputations aiming to remove infection while preserving bipedal ambulatory status and preventing further morbidity or mortality. An estimated 50 to 70 percent of lower extremity amputations take place due to diabetic complications, most commonly diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) formed in the setting of peripheral neuropathy. Patients with diabetes often face additional comorbidities, including peripheral vascular disease and a diminished immune response, both of which increase the risk for ulcer development and complicate healing potential. Although amputation is an effective method of eradicating osseous infection, removing pedal anatomy will alter normal biomechanics and increase pressure distribution to surrounding structures. Furthermore, amputation of pedal structures involved in the gait cycle will require increased metabolic expenditure during ambulation. One hypothesis … read more