• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2001

Diabetic foot ulcer is a serious complication which result from long-standing diabetes. Especially, severe infected diabetic foot ulcer results in unwanted lower extremity amputation. The diabetic patient is considered the relative contraindication for microsurgery because of the severe peripheral vascular disease. Recently, microvascular free tissue transfer technique applied to diabetic foot ulcer. It is well known that free tissue transfer provides immediate soft tissue coverage and control of infection. So it is possible that preservation of the lower extremity through free tissue transfer. A retrospective study of diabetic patients who had infected foot ulcer from 1999 to 2000 with foot defects reconstructed with free tissue transfer were reviewed. Thirteen patients were studied with mean follow-up of 12.7 months. There were two deaths during follow-up period. There were two failures after free flap surgery. All eleven survived patients were ambulatory. There was no recurrence of ulcer. No patient need amputation above the ankle joint. We have found that free tissue transfer for infected diabetic foot ulcer is very effective surgical technique. Careful patient selection and regular follow-up is important.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.330-334
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• 2006

Polymicrobial nature of diabetic foot infection has been well documented in the literature. Initial antibiotic therapy of diabetic foot infection is usually empiric until reliable culture data is shown. This study was carried out to determine the common bacteriological flora of diabetic foot infection and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern in order to enhance possible empiric treatment. The specimens were obtained from wounds of 207 cases of diabetic foot ulcer, and the bacteriological isolation, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests of the isolates were carried out by standard microbiological methods. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolate, with 46.2% of recover rate among total bacterial isolated cases. Among gram-negative organisms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was most common. Gram-positive organisms showed significant susceptibility to clindamycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and levofloxacin, besides vancomycin. Cefoperazone, piperacillin/tazobactam, and amikacin in addition to imipenem were most effective agents compared to gram-negative organisms. Diabetic foot infection requires use of combined antimicrobial therapy for initial management. Our results indicate that the most effective antibiotic combination for diabetic foot infection of Korean patients is clindamycin plus cefoperazone.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2005

Purpose: To evaluate the precipitating factors of amputation as initial treatment in diabetic foot patients. Materials and Methods: Between March, 1994 and February 2003, 41 cases (37 patients) diabetic foot patients who had diabetic ulcer, pyogenic inflammation and gangrene and followed up over 1 year were collected. Among them, We evaluate the precipitating factors of amputation for average 39.6months (12-118months). Results: Among many factors, Wagner classification, pulse volume recording of toes, Ankle-Brachial Index and Albumin level are statistically significant in amputation patients. Conclusion: In determining the amputation of diabetic foot as initial treatment, the trauma history, circulation of foot and serum albumin level are important precipitating factors. So the education about preventing even minor trauma and maintaining good nutrition state decrease the amputation rate in diabetic foot patients.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.223-233
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to systematically review the contents and effectiveness of education programs for preventing diabetic foot ulcer among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched using search terms, and 748 articles were identified. Ten articles were eligible based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Article quality was evaluated using a critical evaluation checklist for manuscripts before performing the systematic review. Results: Although education programs for preventing diabetic foot ulcers have been continuously studied for 20 years, the number of studies is small, and to our knowledge, there have been no studies reporting on the subsequent prevalence of foot ulcers or amputations. While the effect of these education programs on knowledge (ES=1.23) and self-management behavior (ES=.96) was shown to be statistically significant, it was not shown to be significant in preventing diabetic foot ulcers (ES=.03). Conclusion: The actual preventive effect on the prevalence of foot ulcers, through education programs for preventing diabetic foot ulcer could not be determined. Our findings highlight a potential need for studies aimed at developing effective programs to improve education on preventing diabetic foot ulcers.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.98-105
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• 1998

The purposes of this article are to review the pathogenesis, prevention, and management of amputation due to diabetes mel1itus complications, and to report one case who had lost his toes due to diabetes mellitus. A primary cause for hospital admission of the patient was foot ulcer. Since many amputations in diabetic patients are precipitated by such ulcers, a program for active prevention and optimal treatment of diabetic foot lesions might decrease the risk of amputation. Diabetic foot ulcers and, ultimately, amputation can stem from a variety of pathways. The combination of peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease and infections is the harbinger of the final cataclysmic events of gangrene and amputation. As the physical therapist is often involved in the treatment of diabetic patients, the therapist should be aware of the followings: the patient's type of diabetes and the severity of the diabetes, the complications of the disease, the effects of exercise, the importance of wearing proper shoes and education to patients about appropriate diabetic foot care.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.260-263
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• 2005

In this study, we analyzed the plantar shear stress and pressure of diabetic foot patients during walking by using in-shoe local shear force and plantar pressure measurement system. Twelve normal subjects and three diabetic foot patients with diabetic neuropathy in lateral heel were participated in this study. The center of pressure in diabetic foot patients moved more medially and directed toward 1st, 2nd metatarsal heads and hallux during late stance period, making pressure at the medial heel and 2nd metatarsal head significantly higher than in the normal. Shear stress at the heel were changed significantly in early stance and the magnitude of shear stresses in each metatarsal head were also changed. Further studies would be very helpful to design foot orthoses in patients with diabetic neuropathy or other diseases.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2015

Purpose: The question of surgical versus non-surgical treatment for diabetic foot osteomyelitis remains subject to debate. The aims of this study were to analyse the outcome of conservative treatment (antibiotic treatment and conservative surgery) for diabetic foot osteomyelitis and identify the predictive factors of remission in conservative treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis. Materials and Methods: Seventy-seven patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis who initially received conservative treatment from January 2004 to July 2013 were identified, and their medical records were reviewed. Diabetic foot osteomyelitis was defined by imaging studies or histological evidence. Remission was defined as the absence of any sign of infection at the initial or contiguous site assessed at least 12 months after the end of treatment. The demographic, clinical, and therapeutic factors were analysed. Results: The mean age of the patients was $62.7{\pm}12.2$ years, and 47 patients (61.0%) were male. The median diabetes duration was $15.7{\pm}11.2$ years and mean HbA1c was $8.7%{\pm}2.4%$. Forty-eight patients (62.3%) healed with conservative treatment (antibiotic treatment and conservative surgery). Twenty-five patients (32.5%) underwent amputation. In the multivariate analysis, concomitant peripheral artery disease and inadequate antibiotic therapy were associated with failure of conservative treatment. Conclusion: Antibiotics alone, or with conservative surgery, were successful in treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis in 62.3% of the patients. Concomitant peripheral artery disease and inadequate antimicrobial therapy were risk factors for remission in conservatively treated diabetic foot osteomyelitis.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

In patients with diabetic foot, ulceration and amputation are the most serious consequences and can lead to morbidity and disability. Peripheral arterial sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, and foot deformities are major causes of foot problems. Foot deformities, following autonomic and motor neuropathy, lead to development of over-pressured focal lesions causing the diabetic foot to be easily injured within the shoe while walking. Wound healing in these patients can be difficult due to impaired phagocytic activity, malnutrition, and ischemia. Correction of deformity or shoe modification to relieve the pressure of over-pressured points is necessary for ulcer management. Application of selective dressings that allow a moist environment following complete debridement of the necrotic tissue is mandatory. In the case of a large soft tissue defect, performance of a wound coverage procedure by either a distant flap operation or a skin graft is necessary. Patients with a Charcot joint should be stabilized and consolidated into a plantigrade foot. The bony prominence of a Charcot foot can be corrected by a bumpectomy in order to prevent ulceration. The most effective management of the diabetic foot is ulcer prevention: controlling blood sugar levels and neuropathic pain, smoking cessation, stretching exercises, frequent examination of the foot, and appropriate education regarding footwear.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2008

Purpose: In a diabetic foot ulcer, superficial fungal infection of the foot may disrupt the skin integrity and provide an avenue for bacterial infection. The prevalence of fungal infection in diabetic foot ulcer has been reported as 12-30% in Caucasian patients. However, no data are available for Korean patients. The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of fungal infection in diabetic foot patients admitted in our clinic. Methods: This study included consecutive 30 diabetic foot ulcer patients(24 males and 6 females) admitted from May 2007 to July 2007. The mean age was 60.5 years. All patients underwent mycological examination including direct microscopic examination in KOH and culturing on slants and tubes with Sabouraud's glucose agar. Results: Clinical signs of presumed fungal infection, which were examined by dermatologists, were found in all patients included in this study. Direct microscopic examination was positive for the specimens of the skin and the toenails in 28(93.3%) and 25(83.3%) patients, respectively. In addition, culture result was positive for the specimens of the skin and the toenails in 5(16.73%) and 7(23.3%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of fungal infection in diabetic foot ulcer patients admitted in our clinic is much higher than that in Caucasian patients(83.3-93.3% vs 12-30%).

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2014

Amputation of diabetic foot ulcer and infection is a critical modality for saving a patient's life from life threatening infections or ischemic limbs. However, it can cause serious handicaps or complications, such as lifetime shortening and re-amputation of the other limb. The minimal amputation is the main goal of amputation in diabetic patients. However, insufficient amputation can have a harmful effect on patients. The decision of amputation is very difficult and should be made using multidisciplinary approaches. All aspects of the patient's situation, including vascular status, degree of infection, and medical conditions should be considered. The foot surgeon should keep in mind the notion that proper amputation can lead to a new life for diabetic foot patients.