Applied felted foam for plantar pressure relief is an efficient therapy in neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers.

Abstract

The application of felted foam is a promising method for plantar pressure reduction in the ulcer region of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers, but the knowledge of its impact on the wound healing and healing times in foot ulcers compared to conventional methods of pressure relief is sparse. The aim of this study was to assess the effects on the wound healing of felted foam dressings for plantar pressure reduction in the therapy of neuropathic foot ulcers. This prospective cohort study evaluates healing times and wound healing in 61 diabetic patients with neuropathic foot ulcerations. Ulcer healing was assessed by planimetric measurement of the wound area at beginning of the study and after 10 weeks and at least until wound healing. The patients were consecutively enrolled in the study, 27 patients were randomized to the felted foam therapy, and 34 patients were randomized to conventional therapy. In the felted foam group, the initial average wound area was 110.8 +/- 14.4 mm 2 (mean +/- SE), and 2.1 +/- 0.5 mm 2 after ten weeks (p < 0.0001), with an average healing time of 79.6 (95%-CI 75-84) days. In the conventional therapy group, the initial average wound area was 119.2 +/- 13.8 mm 2, and 3.4 +/- 0.7 mm 2 after ten weeks (p < 0.0001). The average healing times was 83.2 (95%-CI 77-90) days. Both with respect to the wound healing process and the healing times, the felted foam technique appears to be as effective as conventional plantar ulcer treatment. We conclude that the felted foam technique is an useful alternative in the therapy of the neuropathic diabetic foot syndrome, especially in patients who are not able to avoid weight-bearing reliably.