Summary
Within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system, around 25% of military veterans have diabetes and the economic burden of lower limb amputations exceeded $200 million for fiscal year 2010. Beyond the economic costs, the loss of mobility and independence in these veterans has a significant impact on veteran quality of life and that of their caregivers. Despite innovations in both wound care and diabetes management, diabetic ulcers remain the leading cause of amputation for VA patients. Normal wound healing in healthy individuals initiates quickly and proceeds through well- characterized, iterati
