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JAMA Network Open Mar 2024Patients with kidney failure have an increased risk of diabetes-related foot complications. The benefit of regular foot and ankle care in this at-risk population is...
IMPORTANCE
Patients with kidney failure have an increased risk of diabetes-related foot complications. The benefit of regular foot and ankle care in this at-risk population is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate foot and ankle care by podiatrists and the outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in patients with kidney failure.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This retrospective cohort study included Medicare beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes receiving dialysis who had a new DFU diagnosis. The analysis of the calendar year 2016 to 2019 data from the United States Renal Data System was performed on June 15, 2023, with subsequent updates on December 11, 2023.
EXPOSURES
Foot and ankle care by podiatrists during 3 months prior to DFU diagnosis.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The outcomes were a composite of death and/or major amputation, as well as major amputation alone. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate 2 to 3 years of amputation-free survival. Foot and ankle care by podiatrists and the composite outcome was examined using inverse probability-weighted Cox regression, while competing risk regression models were used for the analysis of amputation alone.
RESULTS
Among the 14 935 adult patients with kidney failure and a new DFU (mean [SD] age, 59.3 [12.7] years; 35.4% aged ≥65 years; 8284 men [55.4%]; Asian, 2.7%; Black/African American, 35.0%; Hispanic, 17.7%; White, 58.5%), 18.4% (n = 2736) received care by podiatrists in the 3 months before index DFU diagnosis. These patients were older, more likely to be male, and have more comorbidities than those without prior podiatrist visits. Over a mean (SD) 13.5 (12.0)-month follow-up, 70% of those with podiatric care experienced death and/or major amputation, compared with 74% in the nonpodiatric group. Survival probabilities at 36 months were 26.3% vs 22.8% (P < .001, unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). In multivariate regression analysis, foot and ankle care was associated with an 11% lower likelihood of death and/or amputation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.89 95% CI, 0.84-0.93) and a 9% lower likelihood of major amputation (above or below knee) (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84-0.99) than those who did not.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings of this study suggest that patients with kidney failure at risk for DFUs who receive foot and ankle care from podiatrists may be associated with a reduced likelihood of diabetes-related amputations.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Male; Aged; United States; Middle Aged; Female; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Ankle; Retrospective Studies; Medicare; Diabetic Foot; Risk Factors; Amputation, Surgical; Renal Insufficiency
PubMed: 38427353
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0801 -
Journal of Medical Education and... 2024Competency-based medical education has been introduced into many health professional curricula. Based on CanMEDs, a framework has recently been developed for podiatric...
OBJECTIVES
Competency-based medical education has been introduced into many health professional curricula. Based on CanMEDs, a framework has recently been developed for podiatric medicine education in Canada. This study aimed to validate the framework through a consensus of various podiatric medicine experts across Canada.
METHODS
An adapted Delphi method was used for content validation. Two structured online questionnaires were used to gather expert opinions and agreement on the roles and core competencies described in the framework previously developed. The validation consensus threshold was set at a minimum of 80% agreement. The summary of comments and suggestions was used to reformulate certain items after the research team reached a consensus.
RESULTS
Out of the 51 experts invited from the Canadian Podiatric Medicine Association, 19 completed the first-round questionnaire (mean podiatric experience = 24.5 years; standard deviation 17.6). After the first round, "Podiatric Expert", "Communicator" and "Scholar" roles have been modified. After these modifications, a consensus was obtained at the second round completed by 13 experts. Overall, 95% of the experts agreed that the competency framework was relevant even if some indicators would need to be adapted to suit the requirements of each province and territory.
CONCLUSION
This validated framework supports the excellence and the quality of our podiatric educational program. It also promotes the adoption of a uniform education of podiatrists in Canada and worldwide.
PubMed: 38415024
DOI: 10.1177/23821205241234974 -
Cureus Jan 2024A serious kind of fractured foot ailment is a foot crush injury. Foot injury commonly happens in accidents involving transportation or the workplace, such as automobile...
A serious kind of fractured foot ailment is a foot crush injury. Foot injury commonly happens in accidents involving transportation or the workplace, such as automobile accidents, big objects falling on the foot, or heavy machinery running over the foot. Foot crush injuries are more severe than regular foot fractures. These wounds are usually very serious, involving many fractures and soft tissue injuries. The main symptoms include pain, severe muscle and tissue damage, and extreme swelling. Because of this, treating a foot crush injury can be quite challenging and frequently requires the collaboration of physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, and podiatrists. Physiotherapy is important for reducing pain, increasing range of motion, strengthening muscles, and improving leg function. It also decreases the chance of contractures, deformities, and stiffness following crush injuries. In this report, we present the case of a 58-year-old male with a lacerated wound over his left foot with chief complaints of severe pain. Patient-tailored physiotherapy rehabilitation, including active movements, passive movements, isometric exercises, and a strengthening regimen consisting of numerous repetitions and progressive complexity, was given. At the end of four weeks, the patient had improved strength and quality of life.
PubMed: 38371133
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52572 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2024Morton's neuroma (MN) is a painful neuropathy resulting from a benign enlargement of the common plantar digital nerve that occurs commonly in the third webspace and,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Morton's neuroma (MN) is a painful neuropathy resulting from a benign enlargement of the common plantar digital nerve that occurs commonly in the third webspace and, less often, in the second webspace of the foot. Symptoms include burning or shooting pain in the webspace that extends to the toes, or the sensation of walking on a pebble. These impact on weight-bearing activities and quality of life.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of interventions for MN.
SEARCH METHODS
On 11 July 2022, we searched CENTRAL, CINAHL Plus EBSCOhost, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Neuromuscular Specialised Register, Embase Ovid, MEDLINE Ovid, and WHO ICTRP. We checked the bibliographies of identified randomised trials and systematic reviews and contacted trial authors as needed.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included all randomised, parallel-group trials (RCTs) of any intervention compared with placebo, control, or another intervention for MN. We included trials where allocation occurred at the level of the individual or the foot (clustered data). We included trials that confirmed MN through symptoms, a clinical test, and an ultrasound scan (USS) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methodological procedures. We assessed bias using Cochrane's risk of bias 2 tool (RoB 2) and assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE framework.
MAIN RESULTS
We included six RCTs involving 373 participants with MN. We judged risk of bias as having 'some concerns' across most outcomes. No studies had a low risk of bias across all domains. Post-intervention time points reported were: three months to less than 12 months from baseline (nonsurgical outcomes), and 12 months or longer from baseline (surgical outcomes). The primary outcome was pain, and secondary outcomes were function, satisfaction or health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and adverse events (AE). Nonsurgical treatments Corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injection (CS+LA) versus local anaesthetic injection (LA) Two RCTs compared CS+LA versus LA. At three to six months: • CS+LA may result in little to no difference in pain (mean difference (MD) -6.31 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI) -14.23 to 1.61; P = 0.12, I = 0%; 2 studies, 157 participants; low-certainty evidence). (Assessed via a pain visual analogue scale (VAS; 0 to 100 mm); a lower score indicated less pain.) • CS+LA may result in little to no difference in function when compared with LA (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.30, 95% CI -0.61 to 0.02; P = 0.06, I = 0%; 2 studies, 157 participants; low-certainty evidence). (Function was measured using: the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Lesser Toe Metatarsophalangeal-lnterphalangeal Scale (AOFAS; 0 to 100 points) - we transformed the scale so that a lower score indicated improved function - and the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Schedule (MFPDS; 0 to 100 points), where a lower score indicated improved function.) • CS+LA probably results in little to no difference in HRQoL when compared to LA (MD 0.07, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.17; P = 0.19; 1 study, 122 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), and CS+LA may not increase satisfaction (risk ratio (RR) 1.08, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.85; P = 0.78; 1 study, 35 participants; low-certainty evidence). (Assessed using the EuroQol five dimension instrument (EQ-5D; 0-1 point); a higher score indicated improved HRQoL.) • The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of CS+LA on AE when compared with LA (RR 9.84, 95% CI 1.28 to 75.56; P = 0.03, I = 0%; 2 studies, 157 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Adverse events for CS+LA included mild skin atrophy (3.9%), hypopigmentation of the skin (3.9%) and plantar fat pad atrophy (2.6%); no adverse events were observed with LA. Ultrasound-guided (UG) CS+LA versus non-ultrasound-guided (NUG) CS+LA Two RCTs compared UG CS+LA versus NUG CS+LA. At six months: • UG CS+LA probably reduces pain when compared with NUG CS+LA (MD -15.01 mm, 95% CI -27.88 to -2.14; P = 0.02, I = 0%; 2 studies, 116 feet; moderate-certainty evidence). (Assessed with a pain VAS.) • UG CS+LA probably increases function when compared with NUG CS+LA (SMD -0.47, 95% CI -0.84 to -0.10; P = 0.01, I = 0%; 2 studies, 116 feet; moderate-certainty evidence). We do not know of any established minimum clinical important difference (MCID) for the scales that assessed function, specifically, the MFPDS and the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ; 0 to 100 points; a lower score indicated improved function.) • UG CS+LA may increase satisfaction compared with NUG CS+LA (risk ratio (RR) 1.71, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.44; P = 0.003, I = 15%; 2 studies, 114 feet; low-certainty evidence). • HRQoL was not measured. • UG CS+LA may result in little to no difference in AE when compared with NUG CS+LA (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.39; P = 0.15, I = 0%; 2 studies, 116 feet; low-certainty evidence). AE included depigmentation or fat atrophy for UG CS+LA (4.9%) and NUG CS+LA (12.7%). Surgical treatments Plantar incision neurectomy (PN) versus dorsal incision neurectomy (DN) One study compared PN versus DN. At 34 months (mean; range 28 to 42 months), PN may result in little to no difference for satisfaction (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.28; P = 0.58; 1 study, 73 participants; low-certainty evidence), or for AE (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.32 to 2.85; P = 0.93; 1 study, 75 participants; low-certainty evidence) compared with DN. AE for PN included hypertrophic scaring (11.4%), foreign body reaction (2.9%); AE for DN included missed nerve (2.5%), artery resected (2.5%), wound infection (2.5%), postoperative dehiscence (2.5%), deep vein thrombosis (2.5%) and reoperation with plantar incision due to intolerable pain (5%). The data reported for pain and function were not suitable for analysis. HRQoL was not measured.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Although there are many interventions for MN, few have been assessed in RCTs. There is low-certainty evidence that CS+LA may result in little to no difference in pain or function, and moderate-certainty evidence that UG CS+LA probably reduces pain and increases function for people with MN. Future trials should improve methodology to increase certainty of the evidence, and use optimal sample sizes to decrease imprecision.
Topics: Humans; Morton Neuroma; Anesthetics, Local; Quality of Life; Pain; Atrophy
PubMed: 38334217
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD014687.pub2 -
PloS One 2024Patients with diabetic foot ulcers have poor adherence to treatment recommendations. However, the most effective way to support adherence in this population is unknown.... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
Patients with diabetic foot ulcers have poor adherence to treatment recommendations. However, the most effective way to support adherence in this population is unknown. This study aimed to assess the preliminary effectiveness of a motivation communication training programme for healthcare professionals working with these patients, using theory and evidence-based strategies.A proof-of-concept study using a non-randomised, controlled before-and-after design. Six podiatrists took part in the motivation communication training programme. Pre-training, observation was undertaken to examine the communication style currently used by podiatrists in routine consultations. Patients' (n = 25) perceptions of podiatrist autonomy support, self-determination for limiting weight-bearing activity and average daily step count were also assessed. Post training, observations and patient measures were repeated with a different group of patients (n = 24). Observations indicated that podiatrists exhibited a more need-supportive communication style (e.g., taking time to understand patients' perspectives) after undergoing the training programme. Patients in the post-training group reported higher levels of autonomy support, while self-determination to limit weight-bearing activity remained unchanged. Although the post-training group had a lower average daily step count, the difference was not statistically significant. This is the first study to investigate implementation of motivation communication strategies in routine consultations with patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Results suggest that training can enhance healthcare professionals' motivation communication skills with potential for addressing adherence issues, however, a larger cluster randomised controlled trial is necessary to confirm this.
Topics: Humans; Motivation; Diabetic Foot; Proof of Concept Study; Communication; Delivery of Health Care; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38330087
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295180 -
The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery :... 2024Percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening is an effective surgical procedure to treat and prevent forefoot and midfoot ulcerations in patients with diabetes. Patients... (Review)
Review
Percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening is an effective surgical procedure to treat and prevent forefoot and midfoot ulcerations in patients with diabetes. Patients with diabetes are prone to plantar ulcerations due to a combination of factors, such as peripheral neuropathy, decreased tendon elasticity, peripheral vascular disease, and hyperglycemia. Complications such as re-ulceration and transfer lesion to the heel, associated with a calcaneal gait secondary to over-lengthening, are possible with percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening. Although percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening is well accepted, the overall incidence of complication has not been well described. A systematic review of the reported data was performed to determine the incidence of complication for percutaneous tendo-Achilles lengthening when used for the treatment and prevention of diabetic plantar ulcerations. Nine studies involving 490 percutaneous lengthening procedures met the inclusion criteria. The overall complication rate was 27.8% (8% with transfer heel ulcerations). Given the high rate of complications associated with a percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening, careful patient selection and consideration of these risks should be considered prior to proceeding with this procedure. Additional prospective comparative analyses with standardization of surgical technique, degrees of lengthening achieved, and post-operative weightbearing and immobilization modalities are needed to decrease incidence of complication and achieve higher healing rates.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Foot; Achilles Tendon; Tenotomy; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 38307408
DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2024.01.013 -
Revista Espanola de Sanidad... 2023
Topics: Humans; Blue Toe Syndrome
PubMed: 38289167
DOI: 10.18176/resp.00078 -
BMJ Open Quality Jan 2024Delays in the pathway from first symptom to treatment of chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) are associated with worse mortality and limb loss outcomes. This study...
BACKGROUND
Delays in the pathway from first symptom to treatment of chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) are associated with worse mortality and limb loss outcomes. This study examined the processes used by vascular services to provide urgent care to patients with suspected CLTI referred from the community.
METHODS
Vascular surgery units from various regions in England were invited to participate in a process mapping exercise. Clinical and non-clinical staff at participating units were interviewed, and process maps were created that captured key staff and structures used to create processes for referral receipt, triage and assessment at the units.
RESULTS
Twelve vascular units participated, and process maps were created after interviews with 45 participants. The units offered multiple points of access for urgent referrals from general practitioners and other community clinicians. Triage processes were varied, with units using different mixes of staff (including medical staff, podiatrists and s) and this led to processes of varying speed. The organisation of clinics to provide slots for 'urgent' patients was also varied, with some adopting hot clinics, while others used dedicated slots in routine clinics. Service organisation could be further complicated by separate processes for patients with and without diabetes, and because of the organisation of services regionally into vascular networks that had arterial and non-arterial centres.
CONCLUSIONS
For referred patients with symptoms of CLTI, the points of access, triage and assessment processes used by vascular units are diverse. This reflects the local context and ingenuity of vascular units but can lead to complex processes. It is likely that benefits might be gained from simplification.
Topics: Humans; Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia; England; General Practitioners; Process Assessment, Health Care; Referral and Consultation
PubMed: 38267216
DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002605 -
Advances in Skin & Wound Care Feb 2024Wound debridement improves healing in a variety of acute and chronic ulcers. However, there is concern that debridement may trigger pathergy and worsen pyoderma...
BACKGROUND
Wound debridement improves healing in a variety of acute and chronic ulcers. However, there is concern that debridement may trigger pathergy and worsen pyoderma gangrenosum (PG).
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether published evidence supports conservative wound debridement for PG.
DATA SOURCES
The authors reviewed the literature published in MEDLINE through January 2023 using the search germs "pyoderma gangrenosum" and "debridement."
STUDY SELECTION
Articles reporting sharp surgical debridement or maggot debridement for PG were included in the review. The authors also searched the reference sections of the reviewed articles for additional reports on debridement for PG.
DATA EXTRACTION
Clinical data regarding patient status, procedures performed, and patient outcomes were extracted from the selected articles.
DATA SYNTHESIS
There are multiple reports of uncontrolled, active-phase PG wounds worsening after aggressive excisional debridement of viable inflamed tissues. In contrast, there is no evidence indicating that conservative debridement of nonviable necrotic tissue worsens PG wounds, regardless of the disease activity. There are multiple reports of successful debridement and surgical grafting for PG in remission.
CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence in favor of or against using conservative debridement of nonviable necrotic tissue for a PG wound. Therefore, it should not be considered contraindicated, even in the active phase of the disease.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Debridement; Pyoderma Gangrenosum; Wound Healing; Larva; Necrosis
PubMed: 38241454
DOI: 10.1097/ASW.0000000000000092 -
Mycoses Jan 2024Onychomycosis (ONM) is the most prevalent nail unit pathology, and its severity and monitoring are often based on the visual judgement of clinicians. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Onychomycosis (ONM) is the most prevalent nail unit pathology, and its severity and monitoring are often based on the visual judgement of clinicians.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to assess the reliability of the Onychomycosis Severity Index (OSI) classification when utilized by three clinicians with varying levels of clinical experience: an experienced podiatrist (with 5 years of experience), a moderately experienced podiatrist (with 2 years of experience) and an inexperienced podiatrist (a recent graduate familiar with the OSI classification but lacking clinical experience). Additionally, we compared the severity assessments made through visual inspection with those determined using the OSI by different clinicians.
METHODS
We evaluated reliability using the intraclass correlation index (ICC), analysing 50 images of ONM.
RESULTS
The OSI demonstrated a very high level of reliability (ICC: 0.889) across clinicians, irrespective of their experience levels. Conversely, a statistically significant increase in severity was observed when comparing visual assessments with the OSI (p < .001) for ONM severity evaluation.
CONCLUSION
The OSI proves to be a reproducible classification system, regardless of the clinical experience of the practitioner employing it.
Topics: Humans; Onychomycosis; Reproducibility of Results; Nails
PubMed: 38214350
DOI: 10.1111/myc.13694