Impact of Different Therapeutic Modalities on Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Abstract

Diabetic patients are particularly burdened by foot ulcer as about 2.5% of patients with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer each year leads to lower extremity amputation by 15–40 times in diabetics greater than the rate in patients without diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to determine which therapeutic method out from hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO); laser and ultrasound, in addition to medical treatment obtain the best improvement in healing rate of foot ulcers in diabetic patients. Forty- five non-insulin dependent diabetic patients of both sexes complicated with foot ulcer grade II. Their age ranged from 35 to 50 years. were included into 3 equal groups ; Group (A) received laser therapy, group (B) received HBO and group (C) received the pulsed ultrasound therapy in addition to medical treatment. Measurements of ulcer surface area and volume for all patients in the three groups were done before treatment and after two months at the treatment program. There was a statistically significant difference between mean levels of the investigated parameters in laser therapy group and HBO group and HBO group & pulsed ultrasound therapy group after treatment. Where there was no significant difference between laser therapy group & pulsed ultrasound therapy group (p>0.05). It is recommended to use HBO in addition to medical treatment to accelerate healing rate of foot ulcers in diabetic patients.