When people with diabetes, developing foot wounds is dangerous. And that's because there is a risk that the wounds will become infected. Once infected, the wounds become very hard to heal. (That's when we call then ulcers.) Now, podiatrists like our foot doctor in Houston are constantly looking for a new and better diabetic foot ulcer treatment. Why? Because, left alone, they can lead to diabetic amputations. In fact, here's a troubling statistic. The American Diabetes Association says that 154,000 diabetics each year face amputations. But it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, podiatrists in Australia are now harnessing 3D printing technology to help wage the war against ulcers. Here's what you need to know.
World's First 3D Printed Feet ![Diabetic foot exams should always include a loo at the bottom of your feet. If this is too difficult, as a family member or your podiatrist for assistance.]()
Doctors at the University of South Australia have come up with a new way to train podiatrists to treat ulcers. They're working with 3D printed feet! Dr. Helen Banwell and Dr. Ryan Causby designed these 3D-printed feet with built-in holes. They imitate the types of grooves that can develop when your diabetic feet suffer a wound. Using a mix of icing sugar, chicken stock and flexible resin, the doctors then fill in the holes to resemble oozing, pus-filled ulcers. Then, they give those messy feet to podiatry students in training. And that helps them learn about ulcer-treatment protocols.
Dr. Banwell says, "The most effective way to manage these conditions is to medically remove dead or damaged skin to expose the healthy skin underneath and encourage healing. But learning the necessary scalpel skills to do this is challenging due to the risks of 'practicing' on a such a high-risk population. The 3-D foot models—and the mock injuries with which we enhance them- enable us to provide a realistic but safe learning tool for students to practice their scalpel skills, before they begin clinical placements, and all without the stress or anxiety of treating a real patient."
Removing the Pressure: Another Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment
Now, practicing ulcer care on 3D printed feet takes the pressure off podiatry students. But, if you want your wound to heal, we have to take the pressure off your feet. And that's why, in our Houston podiatry practice, we offload diabetic foot ulcers. And that offloading could take on different forms, from casting to having you wear special shoes or a cast boot. The point, in all cases, is to take pressure off your wound so it can heal.
Offloading can be a very effective diabetic foot ulcer treatment. But it can also be disruptive to your daily life. So, in our office, we always keep track of newer treatment options currently being developed.
New Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment in Development
Thankfully, many researchers are working to solve the problem of diabetic ulcers. A team at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Stony Brook University is exploring a simple, non-invasive treatment option. If approved, it could be very effective at helping heal foot ulcers and other long-term wounds at a quicker pace.
According to their findings, gentle vibrations help the healing process. Now, keep in mind that testing happened in mice. But, these animals were exposed to vibrations (via a vibrating plate) five times a week for 30 minutes each time. And, afterward, they experienced faster wound healing than those mice placed in a test group.
So, what's the thinking behind this discovery? Basically, vibration helps your body form granulation tissue and chemokine molecules. And both of those are helpful in the healing process.
Of course, researchers were excited about their discovery. After all, the treatment delivery method can easily be translated to humans. People would just have to stand on a platform designed to deliver uniform oscillations, says Dr. Timothy J. Koh. And, since the vibrations could apparently also help prevent bone loss, this option could both heal wounds and support bone health for years to come.
Clearly, many new and existing diabetic foot ulcer treatments can make it easier to heal your wounds. But getting rid of ulcers is never a simple process. And that's why, in our office, we'd always prefer to prevent a problem from forming. Here's how that can happen.
How Can I Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
Like our podiatrist in Houston, other researchers always emphasize the importance of diabetic wound prevention. After all, as Dr. Banwell explains, "Over the past two decades we've seen a 30 per cent increase in lower limbs' amputation rates. About 85 per cent of these are preceded by a foot ulcer and could be prevented with appropriate care."
So, in our Houston podiatry practice, we teach patients how to protect their feet from wounds. And one key element is daily home foot care. In fact, it's crucial if you want to find and treat wounds before they become infected. But what should you be looking for each day? When performing a diabetic foot exam on your own, look for any of the following changes:
- cuts, cracks, blisters or sores
- infection
![A blister on the back of the heel can become a diabetic foot ulcer]()
- calluses
- bunions
- hammertoes
- changes in foot color
- changes in foot temperature
- redness, tenderness, or swelling
- ingrown toenails
- changes to the size or shape of the foot
If you have a hard time seeing your entire foot, especially the backs of the heels or the soles, try using a mirror or ask a friend or family member for help. Self-checks should be performed daily, but you should also see your podiatrist on a monthly basis for more comprehensive exams.
And the most important advice we can offer is this: when something does go wrong, call our office immediately. Waiting a "few days to see what happens" before seeing someone may be the difference between a good and poor outcome. The sooner treatment is started the better. If you are diabetic and think you have a problem, call our office right away for an immediate appointment.
