The foot is necrotic to the bone because of non-compliance with diabetes treatment

News from the Central Endocrine Hospital said that recently, the hospital received male patient VQTh (53 years old, in Phuc Dien, Tu Liem, Hanoi), with a history of diabetes and infected necrotic ulcers. left foot infection with underlying disease.

Without treatment, diabetic patients’ feet become necrotic to the bone

The patient was hospitalized with severe infection, pneumonia, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, physical exhaustion, and widespread necrosis of the left leg wound with severe damage.

According to history, patient Th. There are many underlying medical conditions such as diabetes for 15 years and hypertension for 3 years. Two years ago, he had to have 1/3 of his right thigh amputated due to diabetes complications.

The patient received intensive and comprehensive treatment at the Intensive Care Department and Foot Care Department such as: Internal medicine treatment, resuscitation, nutritional supplementation, daily wound debridement care, and surgery. skin grafting surgery.

In particular, patients can also apply advanced wound treatment methods such as: Negative pressure suction, two-way irrigation, applying specialized bandages, cold plasma irradiation…

After 1 month of treatment, the wound and overall condition stabilized, the patient was discharged from the hospital and given instructions for home care.

However, when returning home, the patient did not comply with the room and treatment requirements according to the doctor’s instructions, so the wound on his foot oozed fluid, was seriously injured, and appeared tired. many, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing.

The patient was transferred by his family to the Intensive Treatment Department, Central Endocrine Hospital for emergency treatment.

Based on the examination process and paraclinical results, the patient was diagnosed with left foot infection, osteoarthritis, monitored for sepsis, severe anemia, heart failure, and multimembranous effusion on the background of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes – high blood pressure – lower limb artery occlusion.

According to Dr. Ton That Kha, Head of the Department of Intensive Care (Central Endocrine Hospital), immediately after receiving the patient, he was given oxygen and coordinated with active treatment to prevent infection and control blood sugar. Red blood cell transfusion, antibiotic use, nutritional supplementation, wound cleaning and other support.

In particular, in the case of severe injury as above, the Intensive Treatment Department coordinated an interdisciplinary consultation, including the participation of the Foot Care Department.

After 10 days of treatment, patient Th. Had wound care combined with other medical treatment. Currently, the injury and infection have improved, blood sugar is stable, and eating and drinking activities are gradually returning to normal.

5-7% of diabetic patients have foot ulcer complications

Doctor Nguyen Ngoc Thien – Deputy Head of Foot Care Department (Central Endocrine Hospital) shared. said that diabetic foot disease is defined as ulceration, infection or destruction of foot tissues in people with diabetes, often associated with risk factors for neuropathy. peripheral neuropathy and/or peripheral artery disease.

It is estimated that globally, between 83 and 148 million people with diabetes are expected to develop foot ulcers during their lifetime, and half of these ulcers will become infected with more than 15% requiring lower limb amputation.

Despite systematic care, these wounds are often slow to heal, and the risk of amputation is very high. If not comprehensively cared for, the risk of the wound can recur and spread, leading to amputation.

Preventive measures and wound care are important because these wounds often recur in 30% of cases within the first year after healing from the old wound.

“In case of clogged arteries, the feet and toes can become completely necrotic. Notably, for people with diabetes, foot ulcer complications are the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation. love.

The treatment of diabetic feet today faces many difficulties due to incorrect awareness of the danger of the disease. Most patients only come to the doctor when their feet are severely infected or have widespread necrosis, then saving their feet becomes extremely difficult,” said Dr. Thien.

According to Dr. Thien, diabetic foot ulcers pose a risk for local or systemic infections, reducing the body’s resistance. In many cases, amputation is required to prevent the bad infection from spreading.

Amputation not only harms the patient’s health but also causes economic and social losses to the patient and the medical industry.

In the case of patient Th. above, due to lack of awareness in blood sugar control, unreasonable lifestyle, nutrition and pessimism due to having had his right thigh amputated two years ago, leading to the patient having to re-enter the hospital. hospital for treatment, making the treatment process more difficult.

“People with diabetes should check their feet regularly. If there are scratches, they should see an Endocrinologist – Diabetic specialist for early treatment to avoid infection and necrosis affecting health,” said Dr. Thien recommends.