Doctor Emphasises the Importance of Early Treatment for Foot Ulcers in Diabetic Patients
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Specialist surgeon, subspecialising in vascular surgery, Andrew Jackson Yang, emphasised the importance of early treatment for foot ulcers in diabetic patients.
During a media gathering in Jakarta on Thursday, Dr. Andrew Jackson Yang Sp. B Subs. BVE (K), MARS stated that, as the body part most often used for support, feet are more prone to injury.
“Therefore, trauma often occurs in the foot area. For example, bumping or knocking it, so injuries are more likely to occur on the foot compared to the hands or other parts of the body,” said the graduate of the University of Indonesia.
He explained that wounds on the feet of diabetic patients are difficult to heal, partly due to a lack of blood flow to the tissues or organs due to disorders or blockages in blood vessels.
In addition, prolonged high blood sugar levels cause abnormalities in the function of tissue repair cells and dysfunction of the immune system.
“Diabetes is not only related to blood sugar, but also attacks blood vessels. Foot ulcers are not just a skin problem, so checking blood flow is very important,” said Dr. Andrew.
He said that the term ‘diabetic foot’ is used for various complications that occur on the feet of diabetic patients.
These complications can arise because high blood sugar levels make wounds on the feet very easily infected.
If the infection is severe, then a foot amputation procedure may have to be carried out to stop the infection.
According to the doctor, who practices at Pondok Indah-Puri Indah Hospital, the doctor will carry out a thorough observation to determine the actions that need to be taken to treat diabetic feet.
The examinations carried out can include the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), Doppler ultrasound, CT Angiography, and Angiography.
The procedure is aimed at opening narrowed blood vessels and inserting a stent if the narrowing is severe.
The doctor can also perform Atherectomy, a procedure performed using a special tool to remove plaque in blood vessels.
The treatment of complications of diabetic foot is aimed at saving foot tissue and avoiding major amputations.
“There is a fun fact from research which states that approximately 85 percent of amputations in diabetes begin with small foot ulcers and early evaluation of blood flow and revascularisation can prevent many amputation events,” said Dr. Andrew.