It is a disease with serious consequences that causes clinical findings such as open wounds and bone deformity in the foot after the development of nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) in patients diagnosed with long-term diabetes. If not diagnosed early or treated correctly, it can lead to limb loss. Numbness due to neuropathy causes open wounds in the foot and the development of fractures and deformities due to weakness in the bone structure.
Redness, swelling and increased temperature in the feet are the first complaints encountered. As neuropathy worsens, the pain complaint disappears. As the disease progresses, skin wounds, bony protrusions and joint disorders that disrupt the anatomical structure and function of the foot are observed.
History and physical examination findings are often sufficient for diagnosis. Early stage findings are often confused with infection. Diagnosis can usually be made with direct radiography.
Treatment
Regardless of the stage of the disease, the aim is to prevent soft tissue damage and bone deformities that will occur throughout the course of the disease and to obtain a stable foot that stands properly on the ground at the end of the treatment. In the initial stage, FULL CONTACT CAST AND unloading of the foot are recommended. It is important to renew it every 2 weeks and not to give any load. However, in cases where open wounds and bone deformities occur in the foot, bone protrusions and osteotomy fixation surgery can be performed through surgical intervention. Surgical intervention aims to achieve osteotomy and fixation of the existing deformity.