title: Local treatment for neuropathic foot ulceration and osteoarthropathy.
abstract: Forty-one patients with 42 involved feet received local care for neuropathic foot disease. Thirty-one patients had ulcers (nine with associated fractures), and 10 did not (eight with fracture and two with severe ligamentous injury). Patients were examined at least 1 year after initiation of treatment, and follow-up averaged 3 years (range, 1 to 9). Treatment included ulcer cleansing, debridement, local bone excision, molded plaster casts, and antibiotics for patients with significant infection. Most patients used special shoes. Of the 42 involved extremities, 39 (93%) healed with treatment, 21 extremities (50%) remained healed at follow-up examination, and 16 patients (39%) continue to have difficulty with recurrent foot ulceration or osteoarthropathy. Thirty-nine patients (95%) have avoided the need for a major amputation.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Brindley
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Cofield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018409:Foot Injuries; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents