Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine Journal Review Club

Editor's note: This post is part of the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) journal review club blog series. In each blog post, a TUSPM student will review a journal article relevant to wound management and related topics and provide their evaluation of the clinical research therein.

By Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine Journal Review Club

Editor's note: This post is part of the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) journal review club blog series. In each blog post, a TUSPM student will review a journal article relevant to wound management and related topics and provide their evaluation of the clinical research therein.

By Michel H.E. Hermans, MD

At the beginning of a new year, many look back at the previous one in an attempt to analyze what happened, whether it was good or bad or perhaps even special.

By Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine Journal Review Club

Editor's note: This post is part of the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) journal review club blog series. In each blog post, a TUSPM student will review a journal article relevant to wound management and related topics and provide their evaluation of the clinical research therein.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

As summer gives way to fall, one of the first thoughts most of us have is back to school. Patients and caregivers often feel as though every day is the first day of school and they are being asked to take the final exam before they have learned anything. Learner readiness is the cornerstone of an effective teaching/learning process.

By Laurie Swezey RN, BSN, CWOCN, CWS, FACCWS

Total contact casting (TCC) is considered to be the 'gold standard' in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Although TCC is often very successful in healing diabetic foot ulcers, this treatment modality is not used as often as it could be.

By Dr. Mark Hinkes, DPM

Unequal limb length (ULL) is a clinical problem that is more common than most clinicians realize and is one for which most patients are rarely evaluated. Common problems associated with unequal limb length include instability in gait, falling, low back pain, sciatica, joint pain, IT Band Syndrome, chronic muscle strain, tendonitis, and failure of diabetic foot wounds to heal.

By Diana L. Gallagher MS, RN, CWOCN, CFCN

I recently had the honor of participating in a meeting of the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Boar> (WOCNCB®). My role was to assist the Foot Care Committee with the evolution of the exam for certification in foot care nursing. All WOCNCB exams are expanding to a larger format based on the recommendations of the testing industry. The committee worked diligently to assure that item inclusion matched the test blueprint which in turn matched the job analysis that had been completed earlier this year. There is SO MUCH work that goes on behind the scenes to maintain examinations that are worthy of the WOCNCB's "Gold Standard." Participating in this meeting was truly an honor. As one of the members of the original committee for foot care nursing, I could not have been prouder of the progress that has been made in the past decade.

By the WoundSource Editors

The term diabetic foot refers generally to the increased occurrence of complications in the feet of patients with diabetes mellitus. The most common foot problems related to diabetes are peripheral neuropathy leading to ulceration, vascular disease, increased risk of infection, and deformities like Charcot arthropathy. Complications arising from diabetes are the most common non-traumatic injury to cause lower extremity amputation.

em>By Dr. Mark Hinkes, DPM

On June 27, 1991, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed the first World Diabetes Day. Today, World Diabetes Day is celebrated worldwide as an acknowledgement of the condition, symptoms, complications, treatment and resolve to find a cure for the disease. Participants in the celebration include 230 member associations of the International Diabetes Federation in more than 160 countries and territories. All Member States of the United Nations as well as other associations and organizations, companies, health care professionals and people living with diabetes and their families also observe World Diabetes Day. World Diabetes day will be celebrated on Friday, November 14th this year.