Adjacent Fu's subcutaneous needling as an adjunctive healing strategy for diabetic foot ulcers: Two case reports

Abstract

Rationale: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) present with different grades of ischemia and infection and are associated with high mortality and disability rates with little effective treatment. We used Fu Subcutaneous Needling (FSN) to treat 2 cases with DFUs and achieved satisfactory results. Patient concerns: Two cases of DFUs showed poor recovery after conventional wound care treatment, and case 2 was confronted with the risk of amputation. Diagnosis: Two patients with history of diabetes were diagnosed with DFUs, presenting with lower leg and foot ulcers. Interventions: Case 1 received 6 sessions of FSN treatment in 8 days, and case 2 received 10 sessions of FSN treatment in 14 days. Outcomes: Case 1 completely healed from a 1 × 0.5-cm blister and a 0.5 × 0.5-cm ulcer of the right lower leg 14 days after the first FSN treatment. The ulcer area of the left foot in case 2 decreased from 6 × 7 cm to 4 × 3.5 × 0.2 cm. Three months of follow-up revealed full wound closure. Lessons: FSN is effective for healing with DFUs, and it may be used as an adjunctive healing strategy for DFUs patients when conventional treatments such as infection, glycemic control, and local ulcer care are not available.