• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2003

Purpose: To provide baseline data for prevention and education of diabetic foot in Korea. Materials and Methods: 216 diabetic patients are included in this survey. The average age is 58.64 year old with average 9.92 years of diabetes mellitus periods. Among them, 41% used insulin injection, 42% oral medication, 14% both and 3% diet were used for their blood sugar control. The diabetic foot survey was done. Results: The survey of patients symptom and disease of their feet results: 49% had sensory decrease in their feet. Associated disease in foot were callus(15%), heel pain(10%), bunion(4%), toe deformity(2%), Tinea pedis were 9%, tingle sensation were 17%, and swelling on feet were 2%, The survey of patients privious history of foot problems are: 8% had previous operation history on their feet and 17% had history of infection on their feet, 23% had bullae history, The survey of patients prevention and education are: Those who have had more than one diabetic foot education were 45.7%, and among them 24% had routine regular foot check up. Only 5% wear special diabetic shoe and 3% had custom orthotics. Conclusion: Interests to diabetic foot care is increasing in diabetic patients in Korea. However still we need more education, and efforts for prevention. Special education and diabetic shoe is still low, The survey data could be good baseline for diabetic prevention and education.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical manifestations, the patterns and the functional outcome of the amputations due to the diabetic foot complications. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients (50 feet) of diabetic foot amputations were followed for more than 1 year. The mean age was 62.5 years, and the mean follow-up period was 46 months. Retrospective analysis was performed using chart review and interview with the patients. The outcome was assessed with modified AOFAS scale. Results: The diabetic foot lesions were infection in 45 feet, gangrene in 35 feet and ulcer in 15 feet. Toe amputation was most commonly performed procedure (23 cases) followed by below knee and ray amputation. Postoperative modified AOFAS score was average 51.5 points, and 94% were satisfied with outcome. Minor amputations showed better outcome than the major amputations. Conclusion: Overall postoperative functional outcome was encouraging with high patient satisfaction rate (94%). Better outcome was obtained with the minor amputations.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2004

Purpose: We evaluated the effect of nerve decompression for restoration of plantar sweating and sensation in diabetic neuropathic feet, and we selected diabetic neuropathic patients with the possibility of overlying entrapmental neuropathy. Materials and Methods: From June 2002 to May 2003, we have investigated and follow-up examed 10 patients with diabetic neuropathic feet, with decreased sensation in their lower limb, who underwent peripheral nerve decompression. The surgical procedure was multiple neurolysis of the common peroneal nerve, posterior tibial nerve and its three branches of one limb. We compared the operated limb with the opposite, unoperated limb. We performed history taking, physical examination, sweat secretion test, touch sensory test using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and electrodiagnostic study, pre-operatively and post-operatively. Results: On 6 months after the operation, the post-operative tests showed that there were noticeable improvements to sensation, statistically (P<0.05), but there was no change in the sweat secretion test. According to the Cseuz criteria, 7 patients out of the 10 patients who received the multiple neurolysis showed excellent or good results. Conclusion: We observed that the peripheral nerve neurolysis could be benefit for improving sensation and alleviating pain of the diabetic neuropathic feet with nerve entrapmental symptoms, but there was no change in the sweat secretion on short-term follow-up. To identify whether the effect will be continued or not, additional follow-up will be required.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.64-70
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relationship existed between foot type and the location of plantar callus in healthy subjects. Twenty-five healthy subjects with plantar callus were recruited for this study. Foot deformities were classified according to the operational definitions as 1) a compensated forefoot varus, 2) an uncompensated forefoot varus or forefoot valgus, or 3) a compensated rearfoot varus. The location of plantar callus was divided into two regions. Fourteen of the 19 feet with compensated forefoot varus and six of the 9 feet showed plantar callus at the second, third or fourth metatarsal head. Five of the 6 feet with uncompensated forefoot varus and twenty of the 16 feet with forefoot valgus showed plantar callus at the first or fifth metatarsal head. A significant relationship was found between foot type and location of callus (p<.01). The results support the hypothesis that certain foot types are associated with characteristic patterns of pressure distribution and callus formation. We believe diabetic patients with insensitive feet and with the types of foot deformity should be fit with foot orthoses and footwears that accommodate their respective deformity in a position as near to the subtalar joint as possible with the goal of preventing plantar ulceration.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2010

Purpose: In treating diabetic foot ulcers, satisfactory vascularity is an essential prerequisite. To improve vascularity, a bypass graft has long been carried out. Recently, however, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has also been tried since the PTA is less invasive than the bypass graft. However, publication demonstrating the improvement of vascularity after the PTA are lacking. Therefore, this study was designed to show usefulness of the PTA in treating vasculopathy of diabetic foot. Materials: and Methods This study included 30 feet of 24 ischemic diabetic foot patients. Inclusion criteria were diabetes (duration > 5 years) and a significant lower extremity ischemia, as determined by a transcutaneous oxygen pressure ($TcpO_2$) < 30 mmHg. The PTA was carried out in 61 arteries. PTA procedure was considered successful, when residual stenosis was less than 30%. The procedure was considered failed when residual stenosis was more than 50%. Residual stenosis between 30% and 50% was considered acceptable. For evaluation of PTA effect, foot $TcpO_2$ and infrared thermography were measured before and 7th day after PTA. Results: Immediately after PTA performed in 61 arteries, 58 and 3 arteries were evaluated as being successful and acceptable, respectively. Before PTA, average foot $TcpO_2$ was $12.6{\pm}8.8$ mmHg and its value was increased to $44.2{\pm}23.9$ on 7th day after PTA (p<0.01). Average skin temperature was $31.8{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$ before PTA and it was increased to $33.5{\pm}1.1^{\circ}C$ on 7th day after PTA (p<0.01). Conclusion: PTA procedure increases tissue oxygenation of ischemic diabetic feet which do not have wound healing potential due to low tissue oxygenation, to the level of possible wound healing. In addition, PTA increases skin temperature of ischemic diabetic feet which can imply an improvement of peripheral circulation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.585-589
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• 2011

Purpose: Microcirculation of diabetic patients is commonly comporomised, regardless of the condition of the macrocirculation. Therefore, direct tissue oxygenation measurement is recommended in determining tissue viability and predicting wound healing potential. This study was designed to determine cut-off value of the tissue oxygenation in predicting wound healing in diabetic foot patients. Methods: This study included 41 feet of 41 diabetic foot patients who were treated in the Diabetic Wound Center of author's institution between January and June, 2009. Main inclusion criteria were type 1 or 2 diabetes and a foot ulcer (duration > 3 weeks) and ulcer area (from 1 $cm^2$ to 4 $cm^2$). Measurements of the area of diabetic foot ulcer were carried out before treatment. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure ($TcpO_2$) was measured at adjacent site of ulcer. The healing wound was defined as complete wound closure within 12 weeks. Results: Average diabetic foot ulcer areas with healing and nonhealing wounds were $2.67{\pm}0.76$ and $2.59{\pm}0.75\;cm^2$, respectively. There was no significant difference in the wound area between the groups. Average foot $TcpO_2$ in healing and nonhealing wounds were $68.56{\pm}23.07$ and $30.98{\pm}16.66$ mmHg, respectively ($p$ <0.01). The rate of healing wound increased as $TcpO_2$ increased. In particular, $TcpO_2$ lower than 40 mmHg and higher than 40 mmHg showed the most significant difference (wound healing rates of 25% and 71%, respectively). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, the minimal $TcpO_2$ value thought to be required for adequate wound healing in diabetic wounds (cut-off value) is 40 mmHg.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 2013

Background Some diabetic feet heal without complication, but others undergo amputation due to progressive wounds. This study investigates the risk factors for amputation of diabetic feet. Methods A total of 55 patients who visited our institution from 2008 to 2012 were included in the study. The patients with abnormal fasting blood sugar levels, lower leg vascularity, and poor nutrition were excluded from the study group, and the wound states were unified. The patients were categorized into a treatment success group (n=47) and a treatment failure group (n=8), and their hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and serum creatinine levels were analyzed. Results The initial CRP, WBC, and serum creatinine levels in the treatment failure group were significantly higher than that of the treatment success group, and the initial HgA1C level was significantly higher in the treatment success group. The CRP and WBC levels of both groups changed significantly as time passed, but their serum creatinine levels did not. Conclusions The initial CRP, WBC, and serum creatinine levels were considered to be risk factors for amputation. Among them, the serum creatinine level was found to be the most important predictive risk factor. Because serum creatinine represents the renal function, thorough care is needed for the feet of diabetic patients with renal impairment.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.125-130
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• 2017

Background: Routine nerve conduction study (NCS) can only be used to evaluate the function of large fibers, and the results of NCS are often normal in patients with distal sensory polyneuropathy. The measurement of the current perception threshold (CPT) has been reported to represent a variety of peripheral nerve fiber functions. This study was performed to investigate the value of measuring CPT in patients with diabetic sensory polyneuropathy who have no abnormalities in routine NCS. Methods: Twenty-seven diabetic patients with sensory polyneuropathy and normal routine NCS and 18 age-matched control subjects participated in this study. The CPT was measured on the unilateral index finger and great toe of each subject at frequencies of 5 Hz, 250 Hz, and 2,000 Hz. Results: CPT values were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group, especially with stimuli at the lowest frequency of 5 Hz (p < 0.05). There were significant correlations between the CPT values obtained at three different frequencies in the patient group, whereas the correlation was only significant in the pair of 250 Hz/5 Hz (both in the hands and feet), and in the pair of 2,000 Hz/250 Hz (in the feet) for the control group. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the CPT test, especially at a stimuli frequency of 5 Hz, may be a useful screening tool for diabetic polyneuropathy in patients who show no abnormalities in routine NCS.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.148-155
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• 2020

Purpose: Minor foot amputations are performed for recurrent or infected ulcers or osteomyelitis of the diabetic feet. Patients may require a large amount of bone resection for wound closure. On the other hand, this results in more foot dysfunction and a longer time to heal. The authors describe fillet flap coverage to avoid more massive resection in selected cases. This study shows the results of fillet flap coverage for the closure of diabetic foot minor amputation. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective case series of patients who underwent forefoot and midfoot amputation and fillet flap for osteomyelitis or nonhealing ulcers between March 2013 to November 2017. In addition, the patient comorbidities, hospital days, complications, and duration to complete healing were evaluated. Results: Fourteen fillet flap procedures were performed on 12 patients. Of those, two had toe necrosis, nine had forefoot necrosis, and three had midfoot necrosis. Eleven forefoot amputations and three midfoot amputations were performed. Among forefoot necrosis after a fillet flap, three patients had revision surgery for partial necrosis of the flap, and two patients had an additional amputation. Two patients had additional amputations among those with midfoot necrosis. By the fillet flap, the amputation size was reduced as much as possible. The mean initial healing days, complete healing days, and hospital stay was 70.6 days, 129.0 days, and 60.0 days, respectively. Conclusion: The fillet flap facilitates restoration of the normal foot contour and allows salvage of the metatarsal or toe.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.172-177
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• 2002

Objectives: To validate usefulness of the three phase bone scan for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot with soft tissue inflammation. Materials and Methods: Fourteen diabetic feet with soft tissue inflammation were included in this study. We took the bone biopsy from the site of hot uptake on the three phase bone scan but no abnormal findings on the plain radiographs. We observed whether the bone has evidence of osteomyelitis on the patholgic findings such as inflammatory cell infiltration within bone, dead bone, new bone formation and fibrosis. Results: Thirteen of fourteen cases (92.8%) were compatible with osteomyelitis on the pathologic criteria. Inflammatory cell infiltration within bone was observed in thirteen cases, dead bone in twelve cases. new bone formation in four cases. fibrosis in eight cases. All of the four findings were observed in three cases. Conclusion: In the diabetic foot with soft tissue inflammation, the osteomyelitis should be included in differential diagnosis if the lesion reveals increased uptake on three phase bone scan, even though the lesion does not show any abnormal findings on the plain radiographs.