Case study: Shock waves treatment of diabetic gangrene

Abstract

This case study illustrates the option of treating poorly healing diabetic wounds with shock waves. A case study was performed with a 75-year-old male patient with diabetic gangrene of both feet facing the prospect of imminent amputation. On a visual analogue pain scale (0-10), the patient reported a pain score of between 7 and 9. In the past, focused shock waves have been used to successfully treat poorly healing wounds and in this case are adopted for the treatment of severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Over a time interval of nearly a year, 11 treatments were delivered. At the end of the treatment the necrotic areas vanished. By then the pain score decreased to 2 and no further pain medication was needed. © 2011 The Author. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and Medicalhelplines.com Inc.