title: Noncontact normothermic wound therapy and offloading in the treatment of neuropathic foot ulcers in patients with diabetes.
abstract: Foot ulcerations secondary to diabetes have been implicated as a leading cause of amputations worldwide. Prompt healing of ulcerations can prevent many of these amputations and improve the quality of life for affected individuals. Improving blood supply and reducing ambulatory pressure on the plantar surface of the foot have been demonstrated to greatly improve limb salvage. A controlled clinical study was conducted to ascertain the effect of a noncontact, radiant warming device designed to increase wound temperature and improve tissue oxygenation. Thirty-six (36) patients with neuropathic foot wounds secondary to diabetes were assigned to management with offloading and warming (treatment) or offloading therapy only (control) for a period of 8 weeks or until healing. Individuals in the warming group were treated daily for 3 hours with the warming device. Wounds healed at a rate of 0.019 cm2 (+/- 0.019 cm2/day in the control group, P < 0.05). These results support the clinical use of noncontact radiant warming and offloading in the management of neuropathic ulcers in people with diabetes.
authors.affiliation: School of Allied Health Professions, LSU Health Sciences Center, PO Box 33932, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA. jmccul@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCulloch
authors.forename: C Alan
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Knight
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing