Background: A comprehensive understanding of clinical risk factors for developing foot ulcerations would help clinicians to categorize patients by their risk status and schedule intervention resources accordingly to prevent amputation.
The early detection of peripheral neuropathy or loss of "protective sensation" is paramount to instituting a structured treatment plan to prevent lower extremity amputation. The results of our study suggest that all 3 sensory perception testing instruments are sensitive in identifying patients at risk for ulceration. Combining modalities appears to increase specificity with very little or no diminution in sensitivity.
DH Pressure Relief Walkers were as effective as total contact casts to reduce foot pressures at ulcer sites and may be an effective practical addition in the treatment of foot ulcers.
We concluded that amputation of the great toe contributes to the development of deformities of the second and third toes and lesser MTPJs and new ulcer formation in patients with diabetes. When deformities were present, the second and third toes and second MTPJ were more severe in feet with a great toe amputation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.