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Surveillance and early detection of altered biomechanical parameters help keeping reconstructed ulcer healed

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Abstract

Diabetic ulcers in neuropathic feet are difficult to manage. In earlier studies, appropriate footwear helps healing but recurrent ulceration, recalcitrant and difficult ulcers need surgical intervention. Keeping surgically reconstructed ulcers healed is a great challenge in diabetes mellitus patients when the primary cause of ulceration, reduced sensibility of skin persists. We have developed a system of keeping these surgically treated ulcers under surveillance so that early danger signs are detected. Easy color-coded printouts of pressures in the foot help us to explain to the patients the severity of the foot at risk. It also motivates the patients to attend follow-up and comply with using the appropriate footwear thus keeping healed ulcer healed. Indirect evidence, looking at the footprints on the undersurface of the appropriate footwear demonstrates its effectiveness and patient compliance.

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Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Dr. Punitha, Family Physician, Sundaram medical foundation for rendering her valuable contribution in patient management. I would also like to thank Mr. S. Suresh Kumar and Mr. B. Sundar, Department of Physiotherapy, Sundaram Medical foundation for their help in patient evaluation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetic Foot Clinic, Sundaram Medical Foundation, Chennai, 600040, India

    V. B. Narayana Murthy, Richa Poddar & R. Periyasamy

  2. Adjunct Faculty, Biomedical Engineering Group, Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, 600036, India

    V. B. Narayana Murthy

Authors
  1. V. B. Narayana Murthy
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  2. Richa Poddar
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  3. R. Periyasamy
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Correspondence to V. B. Narayana Murthy.

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Murthy, V.B.N., Poddar, R. & Periyasamy, R. Surveillance and early detection of altered biomechanical parameters help keeping reconstructed ulcer healed. Eur J Plast Surg 32, 131–140 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-008-0324-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-008-0324-1

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