The Role of Physical Therapy Intervention in the Management of Diabetic Neuropathic Foot Ulcers
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- Category: Vol. 78, September 2010
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The Role of Physical Therapy Intervention in the Management of Diabetic Neuropathic Foot Ulcers,SAYED A. TANTAWY and HODA M. ZAKARIA
Abstract
Diabetic foot ulcers remain a major cause of morbidity across the world, there is a fundamental need to improve the outcomes. Peripheral neuropathy has the greatest risk of foot ulceration.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical therapy intervention in the management of diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers.
Subjects: Thirty neuropathic diabetic patients (17 females and 13 males) with age ranging from 35 to 55 years (mean age 45.1±6.75 years). The sample was divided into two groups, the study group (GI) the patients were managed with medical conservative treatment in addition to a specific physical therapy intervention (laser irradiation and specific facilitatory exercises for lower extremities especially for ankle dorsiflex-ors) control group (GII) was managed with medical conser-vative treatment. The patients in two groups were assessed before and after the treatment programs, while the treatment program in the study group was applied for 60 minutes, three times per week for twelve weeks.
Procedures: Examination included examination of the foot circumference and depth of ulcer, and measurement of foot oedema. Superficial sensation was measured by using the Weinstein Enhanced Sensory Test. Electrodiagnostic tests included nerve conduction study (motor and sensory) were carried out for common peroneal and posterior tibial nerve and the dynamometer was used to evaluate the ankle dorsiflexor muscles' force.
Results: The results of this study showed significant improvement in the study group while in the control group, there were no significant changes.
Conclusion: Physical therapy plays an important role in the multidisciplinary approach to the patient with Diabetic Neuropathic Foot Ulcers.