What complication makes diabetic patients particularly susceptible to foot lesions?

Diabetic patients are particularly susceptible to foot lesions primarily due to neuropathy. Neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes, results in nerve damage that can lead to a loss of sensation in the feet. When patients cannot feel injuries, blisters, or ulcers, they may not take necessary precautions to treat these conditions, leading to infections and more severe complications.

Additionally, neuropathy can also affect motor nerves, resulting in deformities of the foot, which can increase pressure points and further contribute to skin breakdown. The inability to feel pain or discomfort means that even minor injuries can go unnoticed and untreated, escalating into serious lesions.

While retinopathy, nephropathy, and cardiopathy are significant complications associated with diabetes, they do not directly influence the development of foot lesions in the same manner. Retinopathy affects vision, nephropathy impacts kidney function, and cardiopathy relates to heart health, but none of these conditions directly compromise the integrity of foot sensation or the ability to recognize and respond to foot injuries.