Efficacy of total contact cast application versus conventional dressings in the management of plantar diabetic ulcers

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulceration, a serious health problem, with main causative factors being neuropathy, foot deformity and ischemia, individually incurring a third of the total treatment costs involved in diabetic care. Most neuropathic ulcers occur on the plantar surface of the foot due to the mechanical pressure of ambulation. By relieving this pressure by offloading, we attempt to speed up the healing process, while the patient remains ambulatory. This study compares the efficacy of total contact casting against conventional dressing in the management of plantar neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers in terms of speed of healing in a sample of 2 groups of 20 patients. At the end of the study, it was noted that ulcers treated with total contact casting healed in half the time. In conclusion, total contact casting provides an effective treatment at reduced overall costs for diabetic foot ulcer treatment; hence improving the overall outcome in its management.