• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.51-63
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• 2007

Diabetic foot ulcers result from abnormal mechanical loading of the foot, such as repetitive pressure applied to the plantar aspect of the foot while walking. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes changes in foot structure, affecting foot function and subsequently leading to increased plantar foot pressure, which is a predictive risk factor for the development of diabetic foot ulceration. To early identify the insensitive foot makes it possible to prevent diabetic foot ulceration and to protect the foot at risk from abnormal biomechanical loading. Abnormal foot pressures can be reduced using several different approaches, including callus debridement, prescription of special footwear, foot orthosis. injection of liquid silicone, Achilles tendon lengthening, and so forth. Off-loading of the diabetic wound is a key factor to successful wound healing as it is associated with reduced inflammatory and accelerated repair processes. Pressure relief can be achieved using various off-loading modalities including accommodative dressing, walking splints, ankle-foot orthosis, total contact cast, and removable and irremovable cast walkers.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2003

Purpose: To provide baseline data for prevention and education of diabetic foot in Korea. Materials and Methods: 216 diabetic patients are included in this survey. The average age is 58.64 year old with average 9.92 years of diabetes mellitus periods. Among them, 41% used insulin injection, 42% oral medication, 14% both and 3% diet were used for their blood sugar control. The diabetic foot survey was done. Results: The survey of patients symptom and disease of their feet results: 49% had sensory decrease in their feet. Associated disease in foot were callus(15%), heel pain(10%), bunion(4%), toe deformity(2%), Tinea pedis were 9%, tingle sensation were 17%, and swelling on feet were 2%, The survey of patients privious history of foot problems are: 8% had previous operation history on their feet and 17% had history of infection on their feet, 23% had bullae history, The survey of patients prevention and education are: Those who have had more than one diabetic foot education were 45.7%, and among them 24% had routine regular foot check up. Only 5% wear special diabetic shoe and 3% had custom orthotics. Conclusion: Interests to diabetic foot care is increasing in diabetic patients in Korea. However still we need more education, and efforts for prevention. Special education and diabetic shoe is still low, The survey data could be good baseline for diabetic prevention and education.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.684-689
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• 2004

One of the serious long-tenn complications of diabetes mellitus is the diabetic foot lesion. Diabetic foot lesions are a major cause of morbidity, mortality, disability in patients with diabetes and frequent cause of lower-extremity amputations. The treatment of diabetic foot lesions is based on the strict control of diabetes mellitus. A patient with diabetic foot lesions was treated with Cheunhwasangamibang and improvement was seen. Results in this case support a role for Cheunhwasangamibang in controlling diabetes mellitus, and are here reported to encourage further study.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 2023

Diabetic foot wounds have a significant effect on the health-related quality of life of patients. As diabetic foot wounds are usually chronic and recurrent, it is possible that they can lead to skin malignancies. Several factors can make it difficult to make an early and accurate diagnosis of skin malignancies of the foot in patients with diabetes mellitus. Even though the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot wounds is increasing, currently there are no guidelines for the biopsy of diabetic foot wounds. We have evolved a criterion for the above based on six cases of diabetic foot wounds with concomitant skin malignancies. We recommend that clinicians should broadly consider implementing this criterion when managing patients with diabetic foot wounds.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to report the current trends in the management of diabetic foot over the last few decades through a survey of the Korean Foot and Ankle Society (KFAS) members. Materials and Methods: A web-based questionnaire containing 40 questions was sent to all KFAS members in September 2021. The questions were mainly related to the demographics of patients with diabetic foot, diagnostic tools, and multidisciplinary treatment. Answers with a prevalence of ≥50% of respondents were considered a tendency. Results: Seventy-eight of the 550 members (14.2%) responded to the survey. The most common demographic factors of diabetic foot patients were male dominance with a high percentage in the 60- to 70-year-old. Although the need for multidisciplinary treatment is highly recognized in the treatment of diabetic foot patients, the actual implementation rate is about 39%. The contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (88.5%) was reported to be the most used tool for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the diabetic foot. It was reported that the use of antibiotics was started empirically and then changed based on bacterial culture tests in 82.1% of patients. Simple wound dressing and antibiotic treatment were most frequently reported for mild ulcers. Conclusion: This study provides updated information on the current trends in the management of a diabetic foot in Korea. Both consensus and variations in the approach to patients with diabetic foot were identified by this survey study. Further efforts are required for better access to a multidisciplinary approach, such as appropriate insurance payment policies and patient education.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2012

Purpose: To evaluate several risk factors related to re-ulceration of diabetic foot including psychosocial aspects such as familial support and degree of independence of patients' activity. Materials and Methods: We reviewed medical records and performed telephone interview with eighty-five patients who had a history of hospitalization in our hospital due to diabetic foot ulceration from year 2002 to 2010. Based on the collected data, we analyzed several factors such as age, gender, prevalence duration, accompanying diseases, HbA1c level, degree of independence and familial support. Results: The mean age was 61.4 years and most common in the 4th decade. There were 57 cases (67%) of recurrence, predominance of male. Eleven patients with recurrent diabetic foot ulceration had undergone major amputations. Psychosocial problems such as depression, insufficient familial support and mortality were more frequently observed in recurrent group. Conclusion: This study shows that psychosocial factor such as familial support for patient with diabetic foot could be important to reduce the recurrence rate of diabetic foot ulceration. Therefore, we should pay attention to strategic plans for prevention, screening, treatment, and aftercare through the prospective studies including psychosocial risk factor in diabetic foot ulceration.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.196-206
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was done to use a guideline adaptation process to develop a Korean evidence-based diabetic foot care clinical practice guideline for diabetic foot prevention and management. Methods: The guideline adaptation process was conducted according to the guideline adaptation manual developed by the National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency. The process consists of three main phases, with 9 modules including a total of 23 steps. Results: The newly developed diabetic foot care clinical practice guideline consisted of an introduction, description of diabetic foot, summary of recommendations, recommendations, references, appendices, and glossary. There were 165 recommendations in 4 sections (risk assessment for diabetic foot ulcers, prevention of diabetic foot ulcers, wound assessment of diabetic foot ulcers, and management of the diabetic foot). In grading by recommendations, for A there were 30 (18.2%), B, 8 (4.8%), C, 30 (18.2%) D, 97 (58.8%). Conclusion: This guideline can be used as educational material for healthcare workers and diabetic patients. It can also be utilized as a practice guideline for healthcare workers in the hospital and community setting.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.66-70
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• 2022

Purpose: A group of patients who were hospitalized for diabetic foot ulcers was classified according to the University of Texas Staging System for Diabetic Foot Ulcers, and we attempted to evaluate whether this staging system could be a criterion for treatment success using vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) technique. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 patients were diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcers according to the University of Texas Staging System for Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Of these, 24 patients who were evaluated as stage B according to the staging system were classified as Group 1, and 8 patients in stage D were classified as Group 2. After applying VAC, the treatment success rate was compared by evaluating the size and severity of ulcers between the two groups. Results: The grade of granulation after VAC was on average 3.75±0.53 in Group 1 and 2.25±0.71 in Group 2. There was better granulation after VAC application in Group 1 (p<0.01). The success rate of the treatment was 22 cases (91.67%) in Group 1 and one case (12.5%) in Group 2. Thus there were statistically significant differences in the success rate of treatment between groups 1 and 2 (Pearson's chisquare test, p=0.01; odd ratio 77.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26~14.66; relative risk 4.30, 95% CI 1.26~14.66). Conclusion: These results suggest that there was a higher success rate of treatment with VAC in stage B patients. The University of Texas Staging System for Diabetic Foot Ulcers can thus be an index for applying VAC to patients with infective diabetic foot ulcers.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.149-153
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the possible risk factors of lower extremity amputations in diabetic foot patients. Materials and Methods: The study is based on 37 patients who received lower extremity amputations from April, 1997 to February 2005 due to diabetic foot complications with at least 1 year follow up. As for the control group, 49 diabetes patients who had been treated at the endocrinology department for at least 1 year without any diabetic foot complication were evaluated. As for the possible risk factors, age, gender, duration of diabetes mellitus, body mass index, Hb A1c, blood glucose level, total cholesterol, s-creatinine, C-peptide, smoking, alcohol, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, CVA, retinopathy and neuropathy were investigated. Results: Among the possible risk factors evaluated, age, Hb A1c, smoking, neuropathy and blood glucose level factors showed statistically significant difference between the diabetic amputation and the control group. Conclusion: In reducing the risk of the lower extremity amputations in the diabetic patients due to diabetic foot complications, strict control of blood glucose level and cessation of smoking were found to be utmost important.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2001

Diabetic foot ulcer is a serious complication which result from long-standing diabetes. Especially, severe infected diabetic foot ulcer results in unwanted lower extremity amputation. The diabetic patient is considered the relative contraindication for microsurgery because of the severe peripheral vascular disease. Recently, microvascular free tissue transfer technique applied to diabetic foot ulcer. It is well known that free tissue transfer provides immediate soft tissue coverage and control of infection. So it is possible that preservation of the lower extremity through free tissue transfer. A retrospective study of diabetic patients who had infected foot ulcer from 1999 to 2000 with foot defects reconstructed with free tissue transfer were reviewed. Thirteen patients were studied with mean follow-up of 12.7 months. There were two deaths during follow-up period. There were two failures after free flap surgery. All eleven survived patients were ambulatory. There was no recurrence of ulcer. No patient need amputation above the ankle joint. We have found that free tissue transfer for infected diabetic foot ulcer is very effective surgical technique. Careful patient selection and regular follow-up is important.