Causes of diabetic foot gangrene.
Diabetic foot gangrene occurs when blood does not reach the cells of the foot, causing them to die and leading to infection and its spread. And this can happen due to several reasons:
– Contracting diabetes.
– Developing peripheral artery disease.
Smoking.
– Exposure to a severe shock or injury.
– Weight gain.
Symptoms of diabetic foot gangrene:
– Unusual swelling in the foot.
– Appearance of sores on the foot.
– Occurrence of severe irritation and redness in the affected area.
– Appearance of black tissue around the sore.
– Discharge of foul-smelling secretions from the site of the sore.
– Lack of sensation in the foot.
– Feeling of coldness in the foot.
– Sensation of tingling or sudden pain.
How can gangrene and diabetic foot be treated?
Proper care for diabetic foot and gangrene, and avoiding amputation, begins with accurate diagnosis and good follow-up, which is provided by Dr. Hossam El Mahdy, a consultant vascular surgeon specializing in diabetic foot treatment and varicose vein laser treatment at Cairo University.
How does Dr. Hossam El Mahdy diagnose diabetic foot gangrene?
“Initially, the doctor takes the patient’s medical history, conducts a comprehensive foot examination to identify any unhealed wounds, ulcers, or to determine the type of gangrene, along with conducting necessary tests and examinations. This includes performing a color Doppler ultrasound on the leg arteries and a CT scan on the leg arteries to determine the location and extent of the blockage, as well as to identify any dead tissues in the leg. All of this is done to determine the appropriate treatment that helps speed up the patient’s recovery and avoids any complications.”
Treatment of diabetic foot:
“In the beginning, diabetic foot problems are treated with antibiotics, foot care, and avoiding injuries and wounds through the following:”
– Controlling blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
– Avoiding exposing the foot to any wounds.
– Cleaning wounds thoroughly and removing dead tissue to prevent infection worsening.
– Taking medications to prevent blood clotting, and medications that improve blood circulation and blood flow to the legs.
– Maintaining dryness of the feet.
Treatment of diabetic foot gangrene:
Antibiotics.
They are injections given to the patient intravenously, and antibiotics are usually accompanied by the removal of dead tissue to stop the spread of gangrene. Typically, debridement of damaged tissue is followed by a skin grafting procedure.– Treatment of vascular insufficiency.
– Which involves restoring blood flow to prevent damage to healthy tissues, and widening blocked or narrowed arteries through therapeutic balloon angioplasty with stent placement.– High-pressure oxygen therapy.
Where the patient sits in a room filled with compressed air, and a plastic cover is placed over the patient’s face to provide pure oxygen for inhalation. This therapy results in elevated oxygen levels in the bloodstream, reaching the affected areas suffering from poor blood flow, leading to faster healing.-Amputation،
Where an amputation may be resorted to in cases of complete tissue death, gangrene spread, and when treatment is deemed futile.Is it possible to treat diabetic foot gangrene without amputation?
When consulting a vascular doctor at the onset of gangrene, treatment can indeed be achieved without resorting to amputation. This is done through therapeutic approaches such as treating vascular insufficiency via angioplasty, dilating blocked or narrowed arteries through therapeutic balloon angioplasty with stent placement, and already performing debridement of damaged tissues. Thus, gangrene can be treated without amputation.
You can receive the best treatment for diabetic foot at Dr. Hossam El Mahdy’s clinic, a consultant vascular surgeon specialized in diabetic foot treatment and laser treatment for varicose veins, located at Al-Qasr Al-Aini. He is considered the best vascular surgeon in Al-Mohandessin, Al-Manial, Nasr City, and Al-Tagamoa.
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