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. |
