Polyurethanefoamsheetsforrelievingpressurefrom diabeticneuropathicplantarulcers:apilotstudy

INTRODUCTION: Lesions of the diabetic neuropathic foot are mainly caused by pressure in anatomically altered areas. This leads to hyperkeratosis, skin disruption and finally to ulcerations that can progress to underlying bone. Therapy for plantar neuropathic ulcerations in diabetic patients involves relieving pressure from ulcerated areas to allow reepithelialization. Traditional methods, such as casts, orthoses and special shoes, are not well tolerated by patients. OBJECTIVE: To test whether polyurethane foam sheets, regularly used for dressing neuropathic ulcers of the diabetic foot, may also play a role in pressure relieving, we conducted a pilot study in a group of neuropathic diabetic outpatients. METHODS: Ten diabetic patients with non-complicated neuropathic plantar ulcerations were consecutively selected among the attenders of our diabetic foot clinic. The patients underwent careful debridement of the ulcerated area and elimination of perilesional hyperkeratosis. The ulcers were then covered with semipermeable film to allow measurements to be made. An evaluation of static and dynamic plantar pressure was then performed with FSCAN 1 , specialized software