A case report of effective treatment of diabetic foot with the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine

Abstract

Diabetic foot has become one of the leading causes of disability and death in diabetic patients. Restoring blood supply to the lower limbs, especially by increasing collateral vessels, is currently the most effective strategy. We report a 70-year-old female patient diagnosed with diabetic foot who was treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Western medicine treatment includes blood glucose control, lipid regulation, plaque stabilization, antiplatelet coagulation and anti-inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment is based on the principles of promoting blood circulation and relieving pain, benefiting Qi and activating blood circulation, including oral Chinese medicine Tongxinluo and electro-acupuncture treatment. The vascular morphology of the patient's lower limbs and the levels of glucolipid metabolism were evaluated before and after treatment. The results showed that after treatment, the patient had increased blood flow in the lower limbs, reduced plaque in the femoral arteries, and improved levels of glucolipid metabolism.