The Right Foot Ulcer Treatment for Diabetes
Foot ulcers are generally major complication brought about by the effect of diabetes mellitus. They often result to amputation of the lower extremity if no proper foot ulcer treatment is done.
Proper Foot Ulcer Treatment
The main goal of foot ulcer treatment is to achieve closure of the wound. How the foot ulcer is managed is primarily determined by the vascularity and the severity of the wound, along with the presence of infection. There should be a more systematic and multi-disciplinary approaches to foot ulcer treatment because of the numerous comorbidies that possibly occur in these patients.
At first presentation, rest, proper foot elevation, and relief of pressure should be initiated prior to foot ulcer treatment. Ill-fitting footwear must be replaced with a type of pressure-relieving footwear of with a postoperative shoe. For neuropathic ulcers, the most optimal method of management is total contact casing (TCC) but it needs to be reapplied every week and requiring a considerable experience so as to avoid iatrogenic lesions.
Simple Ways on Dealing with Foot Ulcer Treatment
Topical antiseptics, like povidone-iodine, can be used to heal foot ulcers. A warm yet moist environment is generally considered as the most conducive place to wound healing. You can find special dressing commercially available such as hydrocolloids, semi-permeable films, foams, and calcium alginate swabs.
Becaplermin, or the Regranex gel, the platelet-derived and genetically-engineered growth factor has been approved for use on foot ulcer treatment, particularly on neuropathic foot. This is proven effective to expedite healing. Growth factors basically work by stimulating the mitogenesis and the chemotaxis of the neutrophils, monocytes, and fibroblasts, together with other components forming the cellular basis of the healing of the wound.
Also, Apligarf, a bioengineered skin, and Dermagraft, the human dermis, are two new types of biologically-active ulcer implant derived mostly from neonatal foreskins and fibroblasts. These scientifically-bioengineered products help improve the healing process by acting as a delivery system for extracellular matrix components and growth factors through activities of live human fibroblasts that normally contain in the dermal elements.
To achieve a successful outcome, a vascular surgical consultation must be obtained to treat the underlying ischemia. This should be considered when the ulcers continue to show no positive sign of progress despite of appropriate management.
When infections are still present, aerobic and anaerobic cultures must be obtained and then followed by initiations of proper broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. Subsequently, antibiotic coverage should be tailored according to a patient's clinical response, sensitivity testing, and culture results.
Proper foot ulcer treatment should be appropriately done. Otherwise, the chances of having the foot amputated are at greater risk. Regular foot-care examinations such as debridement of ingrown toenails and calluses provide better opportunities for early detection of impending or new foot problems.
