Diabetic foot ulcer information

Diabetic foot ulcers are chronic wounds that are the result of repetitive trauma in the insensate foot. The presence of infection and peripheral vascular disease makes the treatment of these wounds difficult.

Diabetic foot ulcer treatment
The main principles of the management include good wound care, such as aggressive debridement of all non-viable tissue, adequate off-loading of pressure, prompt treatment of infection and moist wound dressings. Over the last decade, new therapeutic modalities, including growth factors and living skin equivalents, have been available to the practicing physicians. Judicious use of advanced wound care products may provide the best means of treating these challenging wounds in an efficient and cost-effective way. It is important to maintain low blood sugar levels in the patient with diabetes in order to keep immune function of the host at its best.

Digital thermometer to prevent diabetic foot ulcer
Adding a daily check of foot temperature with an infrared skin thermometer to standard diabetic foot therapy can significantly reduce the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcer. The digital infrared thermometer, called TempTouch, costs approximately $150 and is powered by 9-V batteries. Elevated skin temperature is a sign of inflammation and tissue injury, but the signs may be too subtle to detect. Diabetes Care, January 2007.

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