What is the Value of Treating a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

Once an ulcer is noticed, seek medical care immediately. Foot ulcers in patients with diabetes should be treated for several reasons such as, reducing the risk of infection and amputation, improving function and quality of life, and reducing longer term health care costs.

How Should a Diabetic Foot Ulcer be Treated?

The primary goal in the treatment of foot ulcers is to obtain healing as soon as possible. Faster healing results in a lower incidence of infection.

There are several key factors in the appropriate treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer:

• Prevention of infection.
• Taking the pressure off the area, called “off-loading.”
• Removing dead skin and tissue, called “debridement.”
• Applying medication or dressings to the ulcer.
• Managing blood glucose and other health problems.

Not all ulcers are infected; however if your health care professional diagnoses an infection, a treatment programme of antibiotics, wound care/disinfection, and possibly hospitalisation will be necessary.

There are several important factors to keep an ulcer from becoming infected:

• Keep blood glucose levels under tight control.
• Keep the ulcer clean and bandaged.
• Cleanse/Disinfect the wound daily preferably with a pH neutral super-oxidized solution.
• Use a wound dressing or bandage.
• Do not walk barefoot.

For optimum healing, ulcers, especially those on the bottom of the foot, must be “off-loaded.” Patients may be asked to wear special footgear, or a brace, specialized castings, or use a wheelchair or crutches. These devices will reduce the pressure and irritation to the ulcer area and help to speed the healing process.

The science of wound care has advanced significantly over the past ten years. The old thought of “let the air get at it” is now known to be harmful to healing. We know that wounds and ulcers heal faster, with a lower risk of infection, if they are kept covered and moist.

The use of full-strength betadine, peroxide, whirlpools and soaking are not recommended, as this could lead to further complications unless treated with a pH-neutral super-oxidised water solution under medical supervision.

Appropriate wound management includes the use of dressings and topically-applied medications. These range from normal saline to advanced products, such as growth factors, ulcer dressings, skin substitutes and pH-neutral super-oxidised solutions that have been shown to be highly effective in healing foot ulcers.

For a wound to heal there must be adequate circulation to the ulcerated area. Your healthcare professional can determine circulation levels with non-invasive tests.

Controlling Blood Glucose

Tightly controlling blood glucose is of the utmost importance during the treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer. Working closely with a doctor or endocrinologist to accomplish this will enhance healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Surgical Options

A majority of non-infected foot ulcers are treated without surgery; however, when this fails, surgical management may be appropriate. Examples of surgical care to remove pressure on the affected area include shaving or excision of bone(s) and the correction of various deformities, such as hammertoes, bunions, or bony “bumps.”

Healing Factors

Healing time depends on a variety of factors, such as wound size and location, pressure on the wound from walking or standing, swelling, circulation, blood glucose levels, wound care, and what is being applied to the wound. Healing may occur within weeks or require several months.

NOTE: Microcyn does not have U.S. FDA clearance for claims other than to moisten, lubricate, cleanse and debride wounds.