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Chronic wound and postamputation claudication pain in a diabetic patient
B E Warner1, A J Richards, M Biswas
1University of Bristol, UK.
Insights
Peripheral ischaemia can cause delayed wound healing and leg pain. Angioplasty successfully treated a patient
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Delayed wound healing necessitates exclusion of underlying ischemic disease.
- Peripheral arterial disease is a common cause of chronic wounds and pain.
Observation:
- A patient presented with claudication-type thigh pain and a non-healing stump wound post-amputation.
- Magnetic resonance angiography revealed arterial stenoses in the profunda femoris vessel.
Findings:
- Successful angioplasty improved profunda femoris artery patency.
- Post-procedure, claudication symptoms reduced, and the stump wound healed.
Implications:
- Angioplasty is an effective treatment for peripheral ischaemia causing wound healing complications.
- This approach offers a less invasive alternative to surgical revascularization.
- Early diagnosis and intervention can improve patient outcomes in complex wound cases.
Abstract:
Underlying ischaemic disease should be excluded in patients with delayed wound healing. Contrast angiography is a useful imaging method for assessing the specific cause of wound chronicity and may also be helpful in assessing the aetiology of unexplained pain symptoms. Angioplasty provides a practical alternative to more invasive techniques in addressing peripheral ischaemia. Our patient suffered claudication-type pain in his thigh and a non-healing stump wound following below-knee amputation. Magnetic resonance angiography confirmed the presence of arterial stenoses and an angioplasty was successfully performed to improve patency of the profunda femoris vessel. Following the operation, the claudication pain symptoms were significantly reduced and the stump wound went on to heal.
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