Cover Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
ISSN:
8750-7315
Online Publication Date:
Feb 2000

The potential benefits of advanced therapeutic modalities in the treatment of diabetic foot wounds

J Hogge Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7776, USA.

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D Krasner Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7776, USA.

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H Nguyen Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7776, USA.

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LB Harkless Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7776, USA.

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DG Armstrong Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7776, USA.

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7547/87507315-90-2-57
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This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of primary wound healing as compared with primary amputation in individuals with chronic diabetic foot wounds. The authors review the potential benefits of vascular surgical procedures and advanced dressings, including two of the most promising modalities in modern wound care: growth factors and bioengineered skin. In this era of cost-conscious health-care administration, it is incumbent on the practitioner to consider not only the basic science of wound care, but also the economic aspect of treatment rendered. These various interventions, dressings, growth factor delivery systems, and new modalities could significantly reduce healing time, thereby reducing the risk of infection, hospitalization, and amputation while improving quality of life. If so, they may be truly cost-effective.

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