Up to 25% of patients with
diabetes develop a foot ulcer. More than half of all foot ulcers become
infected, requiring hospitalization and 20% of infections result in amputation.
Diabetes contributes approximately 80% of all non-traumatic amputations
performed every year. After a major amputation, 50% of people will have another
other limb amputated in two years.
One person in the world dies
of diabetes every ten seconds, while two new diabetic cases are identified
every ten seconds. Every 30 seconds, a diabetic undergoes a major amputation.
It is estimated that there are 40
million people with diabetes in India currently and by 2025 this number will
swell to 70 million. This will mean that every fifth diabetic in the world
would be an Indian.
What is Podiatry? Podiatry
is a field of medicine that focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating
conditions associated with the foot, ankle and lower extremities.
Who is a Podiatrist ? Podiatrist
is a highly trained professional in the care of the foot and ankle. Podiatrists
may use methods such as biomechanical, surgical and other treatments. Podiatrists are
recognized as important members of the health care team in preventing and
managing lower limb amputations for those living with diabetes. Podiatrists also
treat foot injuries and infections
gained through sport or other activities. Podiatrists
are sometimes referred to as foot doctors, foot and ankle surgeons, or
podiatric surgeons.
What is Podiatric Surgery ? Podiatric surgery is defined as the surgical treatment of conditions
affecting the foot, ankle and the related lower extremity structures.
In India the most common cause
of diabetic foot is the infected neuropathic foot. There are very few diabetic
foot screening programs and podiatric centers that are available in India which
demands a professional multidisciplinary team approach. Diabetic Foot
Care in Podiatry is at a very incipient stage in India and Diabetic Foot Ulcer
complications are increasing at an alarming pace.
An
ideal Foot Care center may have Podiatrists, Plastic and reconstructive surgeons, vascular
surgeons, rehabilitation and hyperbaric physicians to work together as an
integrated wound care team to cure problem wounds of the foot.
Many patients with diabetic foot ulcers experience
significant disability and may ultimately require amputation during their life
span. Diabetic Foot
Wounds are one of the major complications of diabetes that should be treated by
a podiatrist and are an excellent example of the type of complicated wound
which can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy ( HBOT ) is the process of breathing 100% oxygen in a carefully
controlled, pressurized environment, resulting in increased oxygen delivery to
the body tissues. At pressures greater than normal atmospheric pressure, the
body is able to absorb more oxygen into blood cell, blood plasma, cerebral
spinal and other body fluids. This increased oxygen activity enhances the
body's ability to heal.
The
increased oxygen tension in tissues supports physiologic wound healing,
decreasing edema, enhances oxidative killing of bacteria, increasing cellular
energy production, antibiotic potentiation, neoangionenesis promotion, enhanced
epithelial migration, improved collagen production and granulation-tissue
formulation.
Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy (
HBOT ) when used as an adjunct treatment of modality can significantly
improve morbidity and mortality, reduce length of hospital stay, reduces the
need for surgical interventions, lessen the need for surgery or foot
amputations, reduces treatments costs, improves quality of life…
Hyperbaric oxygen
Therapy ( HBOT ) is an effective adjunct to standard modalities for the
treatment of diabetic foot ulcers used in the western world for over twenty years.
In India Hyperbaric
Oxygen Therapy ( HBOT
) has captured the interests of wound care givers and podiatrists as
their counterparts in the western world and will become increasingly an adjunct
treatment to provide healing care for Diabetic Foot Ulcers in diabetic
patients.
To Learn More Click On
The below links:
For requirement of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chambers in India or to Locate a Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy Treatment Center near to you kindly contact:
Cell: 9769 484 123 (or)
9769 006 123 Tel: 91-22-65 655
123
Blog:- www.indiahbot.blogspot.com
(The content and information provided within this site is for
informational and educational purposes only. Consult a medical doctor before
pursuing any form of therapy, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. The
Information provided within this site is not to be considered Medical Advice.)
