Pedal osteomyelitis in patients with diabetes: a retrospective audit from Saudi Arabia

Principles of preventative foot care

The lower extremities of the body, particularly the heel and ankle, are at risk of ulceration, skin tears and other forms of trauma. This is especially so in today's health-care environment, where society is faced with the challenges of an ageing population, alongside an increased incidence of diabetes, vascular insufficiency, obesity and dermatological conditions, all of which pose both clinical and economic challenges to health-care providers. Once established, damage to the foot can have a detrimental impact on the patient's overall wellbeing, often over extended periods of time, with some patients spending many years within the health-care system. Advanced wound care products tend to have a strong focus upon management of tissue damage, infection, maceration and the promotion of an optimum environment to facilitate the healing process. This clinician-patient collaboration product review challenges traditional ideals and explores the impact of using an adherent soft silicone foam dressing in maintaining skin integrity and preventing tissue damage in those high-risk patient groups.

Patient care and management: reduced skin integrity of the foot

The development and deterioration of pressure ulcers are a frequent occurrence across all healthcare settings and specialties, posing daily challenges to the healthcare worker and unnecessary suffering to the patient. Reduced skin integrity occurs within those patients deemed high risk, particularly to the vulnerable areas such as the heel and ankle (American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), 1996). The incidence of pressure ulcers, alongside diabetes, vascular insufficiency and obesity, is on the increase, posing additional demands on current clinical resources; specialist clinics, debridement therapies and appropriate dressing management regimes. This article will focus on the heel and ankle in regards to reduced skin integrity and the positive introduction of an innovative dressing product as an adjunct to the overall care and management of this patient group.