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Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)

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March 31, 2026
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December 31, 2025

Copyright (c) 2025 Rawia Hassan Maghfouri, Mohammed Abdullah Mathkur, Ahmed Ali Sumayli, Ahmed Mohammed Kulaybi, Hassan Mohammed Sumayli, Ahmed Mohammed Somili, Kother Saeed Alsomali, Huda Yahya Albeshi, Enas Essa Tobeigi, Hanan Ahmed Ali Madkhali, Nawal Ibrahem Othman Aswani, Awatef Mshal Q Alshmre

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Effect of Nutrition, Nursing Care, and Physical Rehabilitation on Recovery After Diabetic Foot-An Updated Review

https://doi.org/10.64483/202522691
Rawia Hassan Maghfouri
Sabya General Hospital, Jazan,Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Abdullah Mathkur
King Fahad Central Hospital, Jazan,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Ali Sumayli
Al Mowassam General Hospital,Jazan Health Cluster, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Mohammed Kulaybi
Medical Supply Administration, Jazan Health Cluster, Saudi Arabia
Hassan Mohammed Sumayli
Al Mowassam General Hospital,Jazan Health Cluster, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Mohammed Somili
Al Mowassam General Hospital,Jazan Health Cluster , Saudi Arabia
Kother Saeed Alsomali
Sultanah Primary Health Center, First Health Cluster, Riyadh,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Huda Yahya Albeshi
Ghubairah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Enas Essa Tobeigi
Diabetes Center, Jazan General Hospital,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Hanan Ahmed Ali Madkhali
Al Mowassam General Hospital,Jazan Health Cluster , Saudi Arabia
Nawal Ibrahem Othman Aswani
Al Mowassam General Hospital,Jazan Health Cluster , Saudi Arabia
Awatef Mshal Q Alshmre
Al-Uwayqilah General Hospital, Northern Borders,Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia

Corresponding Author(s) : Rawia Hassan Maghfouri

rrawi.124@gmail.com

Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent one of the most severe complications of diabetes mellitus, contributing significantly to global morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. Their pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, impaired wound healing, and infection. DFUs remain the leading cause of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations and are associated with high recurrence and mortality rates.


Aim: This review aims to provide an updated and comprehensive analysis of the effects of nutrition, nursing care, and physical rehabilitation on the recovery of patients with diabetic foot ulcers.


Methods: A narrative review methodology was used, synthesizing current evidence on DFU etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, classification systems, and multidisciplinary management approaches. Special emphasis was placed on postoperative care, nutritional optimization, and rehabilitation strategies.


Results: Effective DFU management requires integrated multidisciplinary care, including early diagnosis, offloading, sharp debridement, infection control, revascularization when indicated, and glycemic optimization. Nursing care is essential for wound monitoring, infection prevention, patient education, and glycemic stabilization. Nutrition therapy improves wound healing by supporting tissue repair, immune function, and metabolic control. Physical therapy enhances mobility, improves circulation, reduces pressure-related injury through offloading strategies, and lowers recurrence risk. Coordinated care significantly reduces amputation rates and improves functional recovery.


Conclusion: Recovery from diabetic foot ulcers improves markedly when nursing care, nutrition support, and physical therapy are incorporated into a unified interdisciplinary treatment plan. This integrated approach enhances healing, reduces complications, and improves long-term outcomes.

Keywords

Diabetic foot ulcer, neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, nutrition, nursing care, physical therapy, wound healing, rehabilitation.
Maghfouri, R. H., Mohammed Abdullah Mathkur, Ahmed Ali Sumayli, Ahmed Mohammed Kulaybi, Hassan Mohammed Sumayli, Ahmed Mohammed Somili, … Awatef Mshal Q Alshmre. (2025). Effect of Nutrition, Nursing Care, and Physical Rehabilitation on Recovery After Diabetic Foot-An Updated Review. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2(2), 3663–3674. https://doi.org/10.64483/202522691
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