Diabetes is a dangerous condition that affects millions of people in the world caused due to uncontrolled diabetes. A diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most current complications of diabetes; this illness constantly results in diabetic foot ulcer, infection, and in extreme cases, amputation.
A diabetic foot ulcer is hard to identify and treat because of nerve damage, poor glucose control, and poor blood rotation in the foot. The chances of problems related to the condition will drop if the patient learns about the complication and the requirement for applicable medical supervision.
This article will cover the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot, with a focus on treatment options available for diabetic foot. This is a chronic condition and its diagnosis requires a comprehensive review of the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. The doctor will look for ulcers, calluses, neuropathy, and infection symptoms.
A vascular assessment may also be done to evaluate the blood flow to the foot. The doctor may request imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to verify a diagnosis. All diabetic patients should get their feet examined at least once a year, according to the American Diabetes Association.
After the ulcer is diagnosed, it needs to be staged. Since 1981, Wagner’s classifications have been one of the most widely utilized classifications, and it is based on the degree of the wounds from which it divides them into grades based on their severity.
- Superficial ulcer
- Deep ulcer involving tendon-bone or joint
- Deep ulcer with abscess or osteomyelitis
- Gangrene involving the forefoot
- Gangrene involving the entire Foot
Symptoms of diabetic foot ulcers include tingling in the foot, loss of sensation, pain redness, wound or other blisters in the area and an ulcer that won’t heal quickly.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers Treatment
A diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most prevalent complications in people with diabetes for longer than ten years. As a result, identifying the underlying cause and successful treatment can be difficult because it depends on a number of variables, including the right drug choice and good blood sugar management.
The majority of the medications that have been used so far are either antibiotics, antihyperglycemic medications, or they have undergone positioning changes. In clinical practice, the dressings used to cover the ulcer have received a lot of attention.
Although a full cure for DFU is still a pipe dream, it is anticipated that combination therapies using synthetic and herbal medications and numerous treatment paths would be able to provide better control of the disease.
Surgical options for diabetic foot ulcers include skin grafting, limb salvage, and vascular surgery, and the choice of treatment option depends on the severity and symptoms of the disease.
- Skin grafting involves taking healthy skin from one part of the body and grafting it onto the ulcer.
- Limb salvage is a procedure that aims to save the affected limb by removing the infected tissue and using specialized wound care techniques to promote healing.
- Vascular surgery is for the treatment of open wounds; methods of vascular surgery are Arterial bypass, endovascular interventions, and neovascularization.
- Lengthening the Achilles tendon- The Achilles tendon, a powerful, fibrous tissue that runs along the back of the leg and heel, may pull or put pressure on bones in some people, stressing the front of the foot as they move because of the body’s weight.
An ulcer may develop as a result of the increased pressure. To relieve tendon strain, the doctor might advise an Achilles tendon lengthening. This encourages improved body alignment and relieves the ulcer of excess pressure, allowing the ulcer to heal.
The infection of a diabetic ulcer requires complicated and expensive treatment. Patients typically need to stay in the hospital for a longer amount of time or take long-term drugs. The objective now should be centered on lowering the amputation rate among diabetic patients, in addition to giving patients and the team caring for their proper training.
All diabetes patients need to be thoroughly and carefully instructed on preventative measures and foot care. Every time a physical examination is conducted, the advice should be reiterated. Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores that can develop on the feet, ankles, or toes.
These ulcers are a result of nerve damage and poor blood flow, which makes it challenging for the body to heal. Therefore, it is essential to care for feet if a person has diabetes.
Proper foot care includes washing feet daily with soap and water, keeping feet dry, applying lotion to prevent skin dryness, wearing well-fitting shoes, and checking feet regularly for ulcers or cuts. In case of any changes, seek medical attention immediately.
Treatment of Diabetic Foot in Mumbai
Mumbai is a hub for medical tourism, and diabetic foot treatment is one of the services that patients can access in this city. There are several treatment options available, including surgical and non-surgical options. Non-surgical treatment includes wound care, offloading, antibiotics, and debridement. Surgical options are often necessary when non-surgical treatments fail to heal the foot ulcer.
In conclusion, diabetic foot is a serious complication of diabetes that requires proper diagnosis and treatment. Good foot care is essential in preventing diabetic foot ulcers, and patients should seek medical attention immediately when they notice any changes in their feet. Mumbai offers a wide range of diabetic foot treatment options, including surgical and non-surgical options. Patients should work with their doctors to find the best treatment option for their condition.
Conclusion
In addition to having significant atherosclerosis of the small blood vessels in their legs and feet, people with diabetes mellitus also experience vascular compromise, which contributes to diabetic foot infections. Healing is slowed down because blood cannot get to the wound, which finally causes necrosis and gangrene.
Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers is complicated and expensive so proper care and prevention should be taken in order to avoid this complication completely and regular physical examinations should be done to keep a check on the condition of a diabetic patient.
