Prevention of diabetic foot ulcers using a smartphone and mobile thermography: a case study

Objective: Early identification of pre-ulcerative pathology is important to preventing diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), but signs of inflammation are difficult to detect on the feet of patients with diabetic neuropathy due to decreased sensation. However, infrared thermography can objectively identify inflammation. Therefore, a device that allows patients to visualise thermograms of their feet might be an effective way to prevent DFU. We aimed to determine the effects of a novel self-monitoring device to prevent DFU using a thermograph attached to a smartphone. Method: A self-monitoring device comprising a mobile thermograph attached to a smartphone on a selfie stick was created, and its effects in two patients with diabetic neuropathy and foot calluses assessed. Results: For one patient, he understood that walking too much increased the temperature in the skin of his feet (a sign of inflammation). The other patient could not detect high-risk findings, because the temperature of his skin did not increase during the study period. Conclusion: This device might provide self-care incentives to prevent DFU, although some issues, such as the automatic detection of high-risk thermographic changes, need to be improved.

Download Full-text

Pitfalls of Intralesional Ozone Injection in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Case Study

Journal of the American College of Clinical Wound Specialists ◽

10.1016/j.jccw.2014.01.001 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 81-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Günalp Uzun ◽

Mesut Mutluoğlu ◽

Hüseyin Karagöz ◽

Ali Memiş ◽

Ercan Karabacak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Foot ◽

Foot Ulcers ◽

Diabetic Foot Ulcers ◽

Ozone Injection

Download Full-text

Temperature as a Causative Factor in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Call to Revisit Ulceration Pathomechanics

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association ◽

10.7547/17-131 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 109 (5) ◽

pp. 345-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Metin Yavuz ◽

Ali Ersen ◽

Jessica Hartos ◽

Lawrence A. Lavery ◽

Dane K. Wukich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Neuropathy ◽

Diabetic Foot ◽

Linear Models ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Predictive Biomarkers ◽

Causative Factor ◽

Foot Ulcers ◽

Diabetic Foot Ulcers ◽

Care Systems ◽

Mean Differences

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a major burden to patients and to the health-care systems of many countries. To prevent or treat ulcers more effectively, predictive biomarkers are needed. We examined temperature as a biomarker and as a causative factor in ulcer development. Methods: Thirty-seven individuals with diabetes were enrolled in this observational case-control study: nine with diabetic neuropathy and ulcer history (DFU), 14 with diabetic neuropathy (DN), and 14 nonneuropathic control participants (DC). Resting barefoot plantar temperatures were recorded using an infrared thermal camera. Mean temperatures were determined in four anatomical regions—hallux and medial, central, and lateral forefoot—and separate linear models with specified contrasts among the DFU, DN, and DC groups were set to reveal mean differences for each foot region while controlling for group characteristics. Results: The mean temperature reading in each foot region was higher than 30.0°C in the DFU and DN groups and lower than 30.0°C in the DC group. Mean differences were greatest between the DFU and DC groups, ranging from 3.2°C in the medial forefoot to 4.9°C in the hallux. Conclusions: Increased plantar temperatures in individuals with a history of ulcers may include acute temperature increases from plantar stresses, chronic inflammation from prolonged stresses, and impairment in temperature regulation from autonomic neuropathy. Diabetic foot temperatures, particularly in patients with previous ulcers, may easily reach hazard thresholds indicated by previous pressure ulcer studies. The results necessitate further exploration of temperature in the diabetic foot and how it may contribute to ulceration.

Download Full-text

EFFECTIVITY OF INDONESIAN HONEY ON DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS HEALING PROCESS: OBSERVATIONAL CASE STUDY

International Journal of Nursing and Health Services (IJNHS) ◽

10.35654/ijnhs.v2i2.88 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 20-28

Author(s):

Anita Sukarno ◽

Nur Hidayah ◽

Musdalifah Musdalifah

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Foot ◽

Healing Process ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Tissue Type ◽

Foot Ulcers ◽

Wound Healing Process ◽

Diabetic Foot Ulcers ◽

Necrotic Tissue

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers were common diabetes complication that progressively growth globally. The effectivity of Manuka honey in wound healing process was huge published currently. Modern dressing and Manuka honey may not affordable and cost effective since these dressings were not produced originally in Indonesia. In addition, the published study of Indonesian honey is still lack. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate the effectivity of Indonesian honey in diabetic foot ulcers healing process. Method: This study design was observational case study. This study was conducted among type 2 diabetes with diabetic foot ulcers in Griya Afiat Homecare and ETN Center in Makassar City, Indonesia from March to June 2014. The Bates Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) were used to collect the score of diabetic foot ulcer healing process regarding wound size, depth, edges, undermining, necrotic tissue type, necrotic amount, granulation, epithelization, exudate type and amount, surrounding skin color, edema and induration. Descriptive, Independent t-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Wilcoxon signed rank test were conducted appropriately. Results: In total, 10 type 2 diabetes patients with diabetic foot ulcers were participated. The factors associated with wound healing process were diabetes treatment (t= 2.44, p= 0.041) and primary dressing (t= -2.76, p= 0.025). The effect of honey primary dressing was in reducing wound size (p= 0.043), improving necrotic tissue type (p= 0.041), reducing necrotic tissue amount (p= 0.042), increasing granulation (p= 0.038) and epithelization (p= 0.042). In the counterpart, the effect of modern dressing was in improving necrotic tissue type (p= 0.046) and increasing granulation (p= 0.042). Conclusion: Indonesian honey is beneficial on diabetic foot ulcers healing process. Recommendation: Therefore, findings suggest that honey should be considered as the alternative, cost effective and beneficial wound dressing on the diabetic foot ulcers.

Download Full-text

Early identification of diabetic foot ulcers that may require intervention using the micro lightguide spectrophotometer

Diabetes Care ◽

10.2337/diacare.22.8.1292 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 22 (8) ◽

pp. 1292-1295 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

S. M. Rajbhandari ◽

N. D. Harris ◽

S. Tesfaye ◽

J. D. Ward

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Foot ◽

Early Identification ◽

Foot Ulcers ◽

Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Download Full-text

Early Identification of Diabetic Foot Ulcers that may Require Intervention

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs098012pa ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 98 (s42) ◽

pp. 12P-12P

Author(s):

SM Rajbhandari ◽

ND Harris ◽

S Tesfaye ◽

JD Ward

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Foot ◽

Early Identification ◽

Foot Ulcers ◽

Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Download Full-text

Can self-monitoring of foot temperature help prevent recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers?

Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology &#38 Metabolism ◽

10.1038/ncpendmet0555 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 3 (8) ◽

pp. 568-569

Author(s):

John M Embil

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Foot ◽

Foot Ulcers ◽

Diabetic Foot Ulcers ◽

Self Monitoring

Download Full-text

Mini Invasive Floating Metatarsal Osteotomy for Diabetic Foot Ulcers Under the First Metatarsal Head: A Case Series

The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds ◽

10.1177/1534734620934579 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 153473462093457

Author(s):

Eran Tamir ◽

Yossi Smorgick ◽

Guy Zvi Ron ◽

Ron Gilat ◽

Gabriel Agar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Neuropathy ◽

Diabetic Foot ◽

Case Series ◽

Metatarsal Head ◽

Minimal Invasive ◽

Foot Ulcers ◽

Metatarsal Osteotomy ◽

Diabetic Foot Ulcers ◽

First Metatarsal

Diabetic foot ulcers under the first metatarsal head are difficult to treat and prevent recurrence. The aim of this study is to summarize the results of a distal first metatarsal minimally invasive floating osteotomy for ulcers under the first metatarsal head in patients with diabetic neuropathy. We reviewed files of patients with diabetic neuropathy undergoing a floating first metatarsal osteotomy. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed to determine success and complications. We found records for 21 patients (mean age 64) with University of Texas 1A ulcers. The ulcer’s mean age was 11.2 months. Following surgery, the ulcer completely resolved after a mean of 3.7 (2 to 11) weeks in 19 patients. During the first year, there were 4 complications related to the surgery (including 3 infections). At latest follow-up, 17/21 (81%) patients had healed with satisfactory results. Minimal invasive floating distal osteotomy of the first metatarsal can cure and prevent recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers under the first metatarsal head in 80% of the patients, but the ability to provide close follow-up and prompt response are prerequisites.

Download Full-text