Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Geriatric Patients.

Care for the patient with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) entails understanding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and a systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment. The authors will review elements of DFU in geriatric patients including the pathophysiology of diabetes, epidemiology and management of DFU in the context of developing a Plan for Healing. The authors will discuss comprehensive principles of a Plan for Healing, which applies to all aspects of chronic wounds.

Peripheral arterial disease screening and diagnostic practice: A scoping review.

Early reliable, valid screening, diagnosis, and treatment improve peripheral arterial disease outcomes, yet screening and diagnostic practices vary across settings and specialties. A scoping literature review described reliability and validity of peripheral ischaemia diagnosis or screening tools. Clinical studies in the PUBMED database January 1, 1970, to August 13, 2018, were reviewed summarising ranges of reliability and validity of peripheral ischaemia diagnostic and screening tools for patients with non-neuropathic lower leg ischaemia.

Measurements of CD34+/CD45-dim Stem Cells Predict Healing of Diabetic Neuropathic Wounds.

Management of neuropathic foot ulcers in patients with diabetes (DFUs) has changed little over the past decade, and there is currently no objective method to gauge probability of successful healing. We hypothesized that studies of stem/progenitor cells (SPCs) in the early weeks of standard wound management could predict who will heal within 16 weeks. Blood and debrided wound margins were collected for 8 weeks from 100 patients undergoing weekly evaluations and treatment.

Combined popliteal and saphenous nerve blocks at the knee: an underused alternative to general or spinal anesthesia for foot and ankle surgery.

Peripheral nerve blocks at the ankle have long been used for foot surgery. However, when local foot and ankle blocks are inappropriate or contraindicated, general and spinal anesthesia are the common alternatives. Both have disadvantages and require added equipment and monitors.