Among chronic complications of diabetes mellitus, the so-called diabetic foot is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization. This paper is a report on contemporary data on etiopathogenesis, clinical features and diagnostics of angiopathic disorders causing diabetic foot. Special attention must be paid to initial lesions causing processes on subendothelial structures. Apart from well known risk factors causing ischemic ulcerations, increased values of Lp(a) are significant, as well as the decreased values of HDL cholesterol. Knowing causes of this disorder enables early detection of high-risk patients. Efficient identification and education of diabetics may stop large amputation in up to 50% of cases.