Diabetic foot ulcer clinical trials available in Centurion

Centurion Wound Clinic has announced that it will be providing free treatments for diabetic foot ulcers as part of a clinical trial to combat serious complications affecting those living with diabetes.

Wound care specialist, Rene Lessing, said that diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most common complications of people living with diabetes.

“Just under half of people living with diabetes in South Africa are undiagnosed. When diabetes is undetected or inadequately treated, people with diabetes are at risk of serious and life-threatening complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and lower limb amputation.

“Ulcers are dangerous because they can lead to serious infections or even gangrene. This in the end can lead to amputations and even threaten the life of such a person,” said Lessing.

Diabetic foot ulcers, according to the clinic, are often caused by a lack of care and understanding about diabetes and the complications that come with the condition.

Poor glucose control, calluses, improper footwear and poor circulation, among other factors, can exacerbate the situation where nerve damage often results in patients not realising that they are causing damage to their feet, and possibly putting their lives in danger.

“Due to nerve damage, it makes it harder for the person to feel pain or other symptoms,” said Lessing, adding that other underlying conditions can worsen the situation.

Lessing said that she recently treated a patient that had sustained third-degree burns on his heels and toes when sun tanning as he did not feel the hot cement he was standing on.

“The nerve damage prevents this person from feeling the damage it causes and in no time will have a wound that can potentially end up in an amputation.”

These types of patients need immediate care to ensure their wounds do not become septic.

Lessing said that people with diabetes should avoid risking their health by wearing well-fitted shoes at all times, avoiding using hot water bottles, standing too close to a fire and walking over warm surfaces barefoot.

She said that these people should also seek professional treatment for any wound.

The Centurion Wound Clinic is offering free treatments to eligible people with foot wounds below the ankle through their clinical trial.

The trial runs for 12 weeks, and patients will be reimbursed for travel costs, requiring two visits to the clinic for the duration of the trial.

Contact 082 828 2476 to book a screening appointment.

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