New Powder Speeds Healing Of Difficult Foot Wounds

Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Diabetes;  Preventive Medicine;  Conferences
Article Date: 31 Jul 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Foot complications, such as open wounds and ulcers, can be one of the most difficult ailments for a podiatrist to treat. However, a new wound dressing powder, which acts very much like a layer of skin, is proving to speed the healing time and reduce the amount of pain that a patient suffering from a serious foot ulcer would normally experience. This includes open sores on the feet as a result of inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes or skin cancer. The study results will be released at the American Podiatric Medical Association's (APMA) 97th Annual Scientific Meeting in Toronto, July 30 - August 2, 2009, and will highlight the powder's unique ability to rapidly heal foot wounds and advance the treatment patients currently receive.

This wound powder is especially promising for the nearly 24 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetic foot ulcers are the leading cause of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations in the United States. In a recent APMA survey, 18 percent of people with diabetes reported that they have experienced a foot sore that would not heal. This powder's successful treatment of difficult foot wounds could potentially lead to a reduction in amputation rates.

"This new powder aggregates, or comes together, in an amazing flexible film that mimics the wound's surface and helps it to retain moisture and protect the wound, but still allows the right amount of air flow needed for the wound to close," said Tracey Vlahovic, DPM, the lead podiatric physician for the study and Associate Professor at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine.

The study focused on atypical wounds with irregular shapes and causes. The wounds were treated with the powder dressing once a week for four to eight weeks. The study ultimately showed that the powder dressing provided a painless, efficient, and protective treatment that assisted in closing the wound. The powder also helped in preparing the wound for further interventions that are sometimes needed, including options like skin grafts or the use of sutures.

"My colleagues and I are excited to continue working with this new wound powder product and look forward to its future uses in treating notoriously difficult types of foot wounds we regularly encounter," added Vlahovic.

Founded in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is the nation's leading and recognized professional organization for doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs). DPMs are podiatric physicians and surgeons, also known as podiatrists, qualified by their education, training and experience to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and structures of the leg. The medical education and training of a DPM includes four years of undergraduate education, four years of graduate education at an accredited podiatric medical college and two or three years of hospital residency training. APMA has 53 state component locations across the United States and its territories, with a membership of close to 12,000 podiatrists. All practicing APMA members are licensed by the state in which they practice podiatric medicine.

Source: American Podiatric Medical Association

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