World Diabetes Foot Commission

The FIP World Diabetes Foot Commission is chaired by David Armstrong DPM, MD, PhD. We hope that with Dr Armstrong's high profile and vast experience in both the educational and research world that the FIP will be the internationally recognized resource when it comes to the diabetic foot.

 

 

Dr. Armstrong is Professor of Surgery (with Tenure) at The University of Arizona. Dr. Armstrong also holds a Masters of Science in Tissue Repair and Wound Healing from the University of Wales College of Medicine and a PhD from the University of Manchester College of Medicine, where he was appointed Visiting Professor of Medicine. He also co-founded the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA).

 

Dr. Armstrong has produced more than 300 peer-reviewed research papers in more than two dozen scholarly medical journals as well as over two dozen book chapters and is co-Editor of the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Clinical Care of the Diabetic Foot.

 

Dr. Armstrong was selected as one of the first six International Wound Care Ambassadors and is the recipient of numerous awards by national and international medical organizations including the inaugural Georgetown Distinguished Award for Diabetic Limb Salvage. In 2008, he was the 25^th and youngest-ever member elected into the Podiatric Medicine Hall of Fame. He is the 2010 and youngest ever recipient of the ADA’s Roger Pecoraro Award, the highest award given in the field.

 

Dr. Armstrong is past Chair of Scientific Sessions for the ADA’s Foot Care Council, and a past member of the National Board of Directors of the American Diabetes Association as well as a former commissioner with the Illinois State Diabetes Commission. He sits on the Infectious Disease Society of America’s Diabetic Foot Infection Advisory Committee. In 2011, he was appointed Chair of the World Diabetic Foot Commission of the FIP, representing clinicians from more than 30 nations.  Dr. Armstrong is the founder and co-chair of the International Diabetic Foot Conference (DF-Con), the largest annual international symposium on the diabetic foot in the world.

For more information on the international perspective on the diabetic foot go to www.toeandflow.com The "ToeandFlow" blog on this website, constantly streams updates about diabetes and the foot from around the world.

A) Foot Facts:

1. It is estimated that 250 million people worldwide have diabetes, representing roughly 6% of the adult population (20-79 age group). The number is expected to reach some 380 million by 2025, representing 7.1% of the adult population.
2. Every 10 seconds two people develop diabetes.
3. Over 500,000 children under age 15 worldwide live with type 1 diabetes.
4. More than 200 children a day develop type 1 diabetes.
5. Every 30 seconds a leg is lost to diabetes somewhere in the world. There are over one million Lower Leg Amputations (LEA's) performed in theworld each year.
6. The diabetic foot is also a significant economic problem, particularly if amputation results in prolonged hospitalization, rehabilitation, and an increased need for home care and social services.
7. In most cases diabetic foot ulcers and amputations can be prevented.and well-informed self care. The Podiatrist is a key-player in such a team.

 

B) Links:  1) PAD Coalition - www.padcoalition.org 2) International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot -www.idf.org3) Toe and Flow-www.toeandflow.com

C) Upcoming Meetings:

D) Lecture Series: Topics to include clinical exam of both low and high risk patients, Neuropathy, Managing wounds and ulcers, Preventative care, Surgical options, Shoe wear/Orthotic/ Insole options, Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), and a General lecture on Diabetes Miellitis