Noninvasive Arterial Testing in Patients With Diabetes: A Guide for Foot and Ankle Surgeons

Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery 2023 guidelines on the diabetic foot

The diabetic foot interacts with anatomical, vascular, and neurological factors that challenge clinical practice. This study aimed to compile the primary scientific evidence based on a review of the main guidelines, in addition to articles published on the Embase, Lilacs, and PubMed platforms. The European Society of Cardiology system was used to develop recommendation classes and levels of evidence. The themes were divided into six chapters (Chapter 1 - Prevention of foot ulcers in people with diabetes; Chapter 2 - Pressure relief from foot ulcers in people with diabetes; Chapter 3 -Classifications of diabetic foot ulcers; Chapter 4 - Foot and peripheral artery disease; Chapter 5 - Infection and the diabetic foot; Chapter 6 - Charcot's neuroarthropathy). This version of the Diabetic Foot Guidelines presents essential recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with diabetic foot, offering an objective guide for medical practice.

Fractures and dislocations of the foot and ankle in people with diabetes: a literature review

Diabetes (DM) increases fracture risk, and bone quality depends on type diabetes type, duration, and other comorbidities. Diabetes is associated with a 32% increased relative risk (RR) of total fractures and 24% increased RR of ankle fractures compared with patients without DM. Type 2 DM is associated with a 37% increased RR of foot fractures compared with patients without DM. The incidence of ankle fractures in the general population is 169/100,000 per year, while foot fractures occur less frequently, with an incidence of 142/100,000 per year. Biomechanical properties of bone are negatively impacted by stiff collagen, contributing to the increased risk of fragility fractures in patients with DM. Systemic elevation of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), impact bone healing in patients with DM. Fractures in patients with DM, can be associated with poorly regulated levels of RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear transcription factor kappa-b ligand) leading to prolonged osteoclastogenesis, and net bone resorption. One of the most salient factors in treating fractures and dislocations of the foot and ankle is to recognize the difference between patients with uncomplicated and complicated DM. Complicated diabetes is defined as 'end organ damage', and for the purposes of this review, includes patients with neuropathy, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and/or chronic renal disease. Uncomplicated diabetes is not associated with 'end organ damage'. Foot and ankle fractures in patients with complicated DM pose challenges, and surgery is associated with increased risks of impaired wound healing, delayed fracture healing, malunion, infection, surgical site infection, and revision surgery. While patients with uncomplicated DM can be treated like patients without DM, patients with complicated DM require close follow-up and robust fixation methods should be considered to withstand the anticipated prolonged healing period. The aims of this review are as follows: (1) to review pertinent aspects of DM bone physiology and fracture healing, (2) to review the recent literature on treatment of foot and ankle fractures in patients with complicated DM, and (3) to provide treatment protocols based on the recent published evidence.

Ankle Fractures in Diabetic Patients: A Critical Analysis

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Patients with diabetes are at higher risk for complications after surgical fixation of unstable fractures due to impaired neurovascular functioning and wound-healing capabilities.

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Patients with uncontrolled diabetes have higher rates of complications when compared with patients with controlled diabetes.

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Despite higher rates of complications, operative fixation of unstable ankle fractures in diabetic patients reliably leads to a functional lower extremity with an overall lower rate of complications than nonoperative management.

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Operatively and nonoperatively managed ankle fractures in patients with diabetes should remain non-weight-bearing for an extended period of time.

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Discussion of risk of poor outcomes including deep infection, loss of reduction, return to the operating room, and risk of arthrodesis or amputation should be explicitly discussed with patients and families when managing unstable ankle fractures in diabetic patients.

Surgical Optimization for Charcot Patients

Reconstruction of the Charcot foot and ankle demonstrates significant challenges to the foot and ankle surgeon. At present, there is limited clear consensus on the best approach for preoperative optimization. The primary aim of Charcot reconstructions is to limit the risk of ulceration by providing a stable plantigrade foot allowing ambulation. The focus of this article is the discussion of modifiable risk factors associated with Charcot reconstruction for preoperative optimization.

Vascular Assessment in Patients With a Lower Limb Wound: A Correlational Study of Photoplethysmography and Laser Doppler Flowmetry Toe Pressure Techniques

BACKGROUND

Vascular assessment of the lower limbs is essential in patients with diabetes. In the presence of noncompressible arteries, the ankle brachial index (ABI) can either be inconclusive or provide false-positive results. Toe pressure measurement has been suggested as an alternative as a noninvasive method for detecting peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Toe pressure measurement can be performed either by photoplethysmography (PPG) or by Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). The aim of this study was to determine correlations between the two techniques in order to promote the use of PPG in clinical practice.

METHODS

This was a prospective correlational study of 108 consecutive recruited adult patients, with and without diabetes, with at least one lower limb wound from a University-affiliated hospital wound care clinic. Toe pressure measurements were both performed with PPG and LDF devices.

RESULTS

Mean toe pressure values for PPG and LDF were, respectively, 83.7 (SD 35.4) and 79.5 (SD 32.0) mmHg (with a paired t-test 3.969, P < 0.01). In patients with at least one lower limb wound, a strong linear relation was found between PPG and LDF toe pressure techniques with a Pearson's r correlation coefficient of 0.920 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PPG and LDF toe pressure techniques are equivalent in patients with at least one lower limb wound, irrespective of the presence of diabetes. Therefore, in the presence of an ABI with inconclusive results, such as in a patient with noncompressible vessels, both toe pressure techniques can be used for assessing the vascular supply of the lower limb with a wound.

Venous Leg Ulcers: A Review of Published Assessment and Treatment Algorithms

Significance: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is prevalent in the aging population and leads to venous leg ulcers (VLUs). These wounds can last and recur for years, significantly impacting quality of life. A large body of literature exists on CVD and VLU diagnosis and treatment. Multiple algorithms, guidelines, and consensus documents have been published on this topic, highlighting the importance of this issue in clinical practice. However, these documents are not fully aligned with each other. Recent Advances: The latest update of the internationally used classification system for CVD was recently published. Our review aims to summarize the existing information to provide an educational tool for clinicians new to this topic, and to highlight the commonalities between the published recommendations. Critical issues: VLUs need to be treated with consideration for the extent of venous disease present in the patient. This requires a good understanding of the various components involved and the possible additional concomitant conditions by the first-line clinician who encounters the patient. A multidisciplinary team is necessary for a successful overall treatment plan, and this plan should be tailored to each patient's specific needs and lifestyle. Future Directions: Compression is still the mainstay of treatment for CVD and VLUs. Compression is needed long term, but it does not suffice by itself to prevent recurrences without interventional correction. Venous intervention should be offered early to prevent or slow disease progression and reduce recurrence.

Toe pressure and toe brachial index are predictive of cardiovascular mortality regardless of the most diseased arterial segment in symptomatic lower-extremity artery disease-A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Although lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is most often multisegmental, the predominant disease location and risk factors differ between patients. Ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe-brachial index (TBI), and toe pressure (TP) are predictive of outcome in LEAD patients. Previously, we reported a classification method defining the most diseased arterial segment (MDAS); crural (CR), femoropopliteal (FP), or aortoiliac (AOI). Current study aimed to analyze the associations between MDAS, peripheral pressure measurements and cardiovascular mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed retrospectively 729 consecutive LEAD patients (Rutherford 2-6) who underwent digital subtraction angiography between January, 2009 to August, 2011 and had standardized peripheral pressure measurements.

RESULTS

In Cox Regression analyses, cardiovascular mortality was associated with MDAS and non-invasive pressure indices as follows; MDAS AOI, TP <30 mmHg (HR 3.00, 95% CI 1.13-7.99); MDAS FP, TP <30 mmHg (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.36-3.94), TBI <0.25 (HR 3.20, 95% CI 1.34-7.63), ABI <0.25 (HR 5.45, 95% CI 1.56-19.0) and ≥1.30 (HR 6.71, 95% CI 1.89-23.8), and MDAS CR, TP <30 mmHg (HR 4.26, 95% CI 2.19-8.27), TBI <0.25 (HR 7.71, 95% CI 1.86-32.9), and ABI <0.25 (HR 2.59, 95% CI 1.15-5.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Symptomatic LEAD appears to be multisegmental with severe infrapopliteal involvement. Because of this, TP and TBI are strongly predictive of cardiovascular mortality and they should be routinely measured despite the predominant disease location or clinical presentation.

The early diagnostic value of ankle-brachial index combined with feet electrochemical skin conductance for peripheral artery disease in type 2 diabetes

Aims/Introduction

In this paper, we focused on exploring the diagnostic and predictive clinical utility of ankle‐brachial index (ABI) in combination with feet electrochemical skin conductance (FESC) for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Materials and Methods

Overall, 183 Chinese T2DM patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were classified into three groups: Group 1 comprised of uncomplicated type 2 diabetics (n = 36), Group 2 consisted of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (n = 103) whereas Group 3 patients displayed peripheral artery disease (n = 44). All patients underwent Sudoscan test using a Sudoscan (Paris, France) and ABI assessment.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that FESC was an independent risk factor of developing PAD in patients with type 2 diabetes. The AUC for diagnostic, positive predictive and negative predictive value of ABI in combination with FESC for PAD were 0.907, 0.733 and 0.920, respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of ABI in combination with FESC for PAD were 0.914 and 0.750, respectively.

Conclusions

Ankle‐brachial index in combination with FESC can accurately be used in early diagnosis of PAD.

Peripheral Arterial Disease in Persons with Diabetic Foot Ulceration: a Current Comprehensive Overview

In developed countries, the prevalence of persons with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is approximately 50%. The presence of PAD is associated with non-healing ulcers, major amputation, cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality. It is estimated that persons with diabetes, foot ulceration and PAD have 50% of 5-years mortality rate. Therefore, subjects with ischemic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) should be considered a special group of patients with specific clinical characteristics, general health status and prognosis. In persons with ischemic DFUs, an early diagnosis and treatment are mandatory to reduce the risk of worse outcomes such as major amputation. Revascularization of occluded lower extremity arteries is the main treatment to restore blood flow in the foot and promote wound healing. Nonetheless, there are several unmet needs in the management of diabetic subjects with PAD and foot ulceration as medical therapy, diagnostic criteria and indications for revascularization, revascularization strategy and technical approach as well as the management of no-option critical limb ischemia patients. It is a common opinion that there is an evolution of PAD features in diabetic persons, which seems to present a more aggressive pattern. This may be related to the frequent presence of concomitant comorbidities such as renal failure which could influence the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques and their distribution. The aim of this review is to commence a complete overview and state of the art in the treatment of patients with diabetes, PAD, and foot ulceration and to describe the current challenges and future perspectives.

Use of the ankle-brachial index combined with the percentage of mean arterial pressure at the ankle to improve prediction of all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus: an observational study

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the lower extremities is a common complication of type 2 diabetes and has been shown to be associated with mortality. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a simple noninvasive method to screen PAD, but this method has limited sensitivity. We hypothesized that using the percentage of mean arterial pressure (%MAP) in combination with the ABI would improve the prediction of mortality.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data from patients with type 2 diabetes who had undergone ABI and  %MAP measurements at our hospital. We separated the cohort into four groups according to their ABI and  %MAP values, and we examined whether these indices were associated with mortality.

Results

A total of 5569 patients (mean age, 65 ± 11 years) were enrolled. During the follow-up period (median, 22.9 months), 266 (4.8%) of the enrolled patients died. The combination of ABI and  %MAP was significantly more effective than ABI alone for predicting mortality (C index of 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] of 0.57 to 0.65 vs. C index of 0.57, 95% CI of 0.53 to 0.62; P = 0.038). In multivariate analysis (with a reference group defined by ABI > 0.90 and  %MAP ≤ 45%), the highest risk of mortality was seen in patients with ABI ≤ 0.90 and  %MAP > 45% (hazard ratio = 2.045 [95% CI 1.420, 2.945], P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The use of  %MAP alongside ABI appears to significantly improve the prediction of all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Ultrasound in the Modern Management of the Diabetic Foot Syndrome: A Multipurpose Versatile Toolkit

Ultrasound (US) is a noninvasive and versatile technology that in recent years found acceptance in almost all the medical specialties, with diagnostic and interventional applications. In the diabetic foot syndrome (DFS), US found specific indications mainly in the screening, quantification, and follow-up of the vascular component of the pathology, but also in the study of the deformities and structural modifications induced by neuropathy and in the diagnosis and surgical management of infections, especially those that induce anatomical changes, like abscesses and fasciitis. This review will summarize all these application of US, giving special attention to the vascular aspects, and on the predominant role that US gained in recent times to guide the indication to revascularization, on the new standardized approach to the study of the arterial tree of the limb and the foot, the so-called duplex ultrasound arterial mapping, which significantly increased the utilization of US to plan the revascularizations in this complex pathology. Outside the vascular fields, the diagnosis of neuropathy and infection and the intraoperative use of US in the surgical management of abscesses and fasciitis will be discussed, leaving the last part to the new and interesting applications of US in the management of DFU, a field that is still in evolution, offering new possibilities to the health care professionals involved in the management of these chronic wounds. The variety of applications both in diagnostic and operative fields makes US a rather versatile technology-a toolkit-that should have a special place among those at reach of the specialists of DFS care.

Pé diabético. Parte 1: Úlceras e Infecções*

Diabetes is a systemic disease that has achieved epidemic proportions in modern society. Ulcers and infections are common complications in the feet of patients with advanced stages of the disease, and are the main cause of amputation of the lower limb. Peripheral neuropathy is the primary cause of loss of the protective sensation of the feet and frequently leads to plantar pressure ulcers and osteoarticular disruption, which in turn develops into Charcot neuropathy (CN). Common co-factors that add to the morbidity of the disease and the risk of amputation in this population are obesity, peripheral arterial disease, immune and metabolic disorders. Orthopedic surgeons must be aware that the early detection and prevention of these comorbidities, through diligent medical care and patient education, can avoid these amputations.

Outcome benefit of arterial duplex stent imaging after superficial femoral artery stent implantation

OBJECTIVE

In-stent stenosis is a frequent complication of superficial femoral artery (SFA) endovascular intervention and can lead to stent occlusion or symptom recurrence. Arterial duplex stent imaging (ADSI) can be used in the surveillance for recurrent stenosis; however, its uniform application is controversial. In this study, we aimed to determine, in patients undergoing SFA stent implantation, whether surveillance with ADSI yielded a better outcome than in those with only ankle-brachial index (ABI) follow-up.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing SFA stent implantation for occlusive disease at a tertiary care referral center between 2009 and 2016. The patients were divided into those with ADSI and those with ABI follow-up only. Life-table analysis comparing stent patency, major adverse limb events (MALEs), limb salvage, and mortality between groups was performed.

RESULTS

There were 248 patients with SFA stent implantation included, 160 in the ADSI group and 88 in the ABI group. Groups were homogeneous in clinical indications of claudication and critical limb-threatening ischemia (for ADSI, 39% and 61%; for ABI, 38% and 62%; P = .982) and TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus class A, B, C, and D lesions (for ADSI, 17%, 45%, 16%, and 22%; for ABI, 21%, 43%, 16%, and 20%; P = .874). Primary patency was similar between groups at 12, 36, and 56 months (ADSI, 65%, 43%, and 32%; ABI, 69%, 34%, and 34%; P = .770), whereas ADSI patients showed an improved assisted primary patency (84%, 68%, and 54%) vs ABI patients (76%, 38%, and 38%; P = .008) and secondary patency. There was greater freedom from MALEs in the ADSI group (91%, 76%, and 64%) vs the ABI group (79%, 46%, and 46%; P < .001) at 12, 36, and 56 months of follow-up. ADSI patients were more likely to undergo an endovascular procedure as their initial post-SFA stent implantation intervention (P = .001), whereas ABI patients were more likely to undergo an amputation (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In SFA stent implantation, patients with ADSI follow-up demonstrate an advantage in assisted primary patency and secondary patency and are more likely to undergo an endovascular reintervention. These factors are likely to have effected a decrease in MALEs, indicating the benefit of a more universal adoption of post-SFA stent implantation follow-up ADSI.

Guidelines on diagnosis, prognosis, and management of peripheral artery disease in patients with foot ulcers and diabetes (IWGDF 2019 update)

The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) has published evidence-based guidelines on the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease since 1999. This guideline is on the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients with foot ulcers and diabetes and updates the previous IWGDF Guideline. Up to 50% of patients with diabetes and foot ulceration have concurrent PAD, which confers a significantly elevated risk of adverse limb events and cardiovascular disease. We know that the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of these patients are markedly different to patients with diabetes who do not have PAD and yet there are few good quality studies addressing this important subset of patients. We followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to devise clinical questions and critically important outcomes in the patient-intervention-comparison-outcome (PICO) format, to conduct a systematic review of the medical-scientific literature, and to write recommendations and their rationale. The recommendations are based on the quality of evidence found in the systematic review, expert opinion where evidence was not available, and a weighing of the benefits and harms, patient preferences, feasibility and applicability, and costs related to the intervention. We here present the updated 2019 guidelines on diagnosis, prognosis, and management of PAD in patients with a foot ulcer and diabetes, and we suggest some key future topics of particular research interest.

Treatment of lower limb ischaemia in patients with diabetes

Diabetic chronic limb-threatening ischaemia is a challenging clinical problem with patients at high risk of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) and limb loss. Patients often remain asymptomatic even in the presence of severe pedal ischaemia until first presenting with tissue loss such as DFU or frank gangrene. Limb salvage units should have the facilities and expertise to provide multidisciplinary team-based holistic care through best medical therapy, rapid diagnosis, prompt revascularisation with endovascular or open surgical techniques and expert wound management. Endovascular revascularisation has become the first line strategy in contemporary clinical practice because of similar outcomes in wound healing and amputation rates in most patients when compared with open surgery. The primary goal is restoration of pulsatile in-line blood flow to the ankle or foot, with an angiosome-directed approach possibly achieving superior outcomes especially in diabetics with poor collaterals. A comprehensive overview of conventional endovascular techniques (such as antegrade true lumen and subintimal approaches), advanced techniques for complex disease (such as retrograde subintimal and pedal-plantar loop approaches or even deep venous arterialisation) and the various treatment options are described. Diabetic limb salvage rates can be excellent with suitable multidisciplinary expertise and care.

Peripheral Vascular Disease Diagnostic Related Outcomes in Diabetic Charcot Reconstruction

Postreconstructive outcomes were compared in diabetic patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) who had peripheral arterial disease (PAD) diagnosed with angiography versus patients who were diagnosed clinically. A retrospective review was performed of patients with diabetic CN requiring reconstruction secondary to ulceration and/or acute infection. Of the 284 patients in the CN osseous reconstruction cohort, after accounting for exclusion criteria, 59 (20.8%) patients with PAD were included in the analyses. Forty (67.8%) of these 59 patients were diagnosed with PAD clinically and 19 (32.2%) were diagnosed with the use of angiography. Bivariate analysis was used to compare outcomes between those diagnosed with PAD via angiography versus those diagnosed clinically for the following postreconstruction outcomes: wound healing, delayed healing, surgical site infection, pin tract infection, osteomyelitis, dehiscence, transfer ulcer, new site of Charcot collapse, contralateral Charcot event, nonunion, major lower extremity amputation, and return to ambulation. Bivariate analysis found return to ambulation postreconstruction (p = .0054) to be the only statistically significant factor. There was a trend toward significance for major lower extremity amputation, with higher rates of amputation in the clinically diagnosed PAD arm. Return to ambulation indicates improved functional outcomes. The main goal of limb salvage should be focused on improving the patient's functional performance. With significantly faster rates of return to ambulation and a trend toward decreased rates of major amputation, angiography was found to be a better assessor of PAD than clinical evaluations.

Optimizing Results in Diabetic Charcot Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the diabetic Charcot foot can be a challenge even for the most experienced foot and ankle surgeon. The first portion of this article discusses the preoperative evaluation with an emphasis on factors that can be modified before surgical reconstruction to help optimize surgical results. The second portion of the article focuses on intraoperative methods and techniques to help improve postoperative outcomes. Surgeons should strive to provide high-quality, cost-effective care by optimizing patient selection and perioperative care. Objective measures of patient outcomes will become increasingly important with the transition from volume-based to value-based care.

Trauma in the Diabetic Limb

Poorly controlled diabetes with comorbid manifestations negatively affects outcomes in lower extremity trauma, increasing the risk of short-term and long-term complications. Management strategies of patients with diabetes that experience lower extremity trauma should also include perioperative management of hyperglycemia to reduce adverse and serious adverse events.

The Evaluation and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Diabetic Foot Infections

Diabetic foot ulcers and infections are common complications of diabetic foot disease. Additionally, these complications are a common cause of morbidity and impose a substantial burden to the patient and society. It is imperative to understand the major contributing factors, namely, diabetic neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, and immune system dysfunction in order to guide treatment. Management of diabetic foot disease begins with a detailed history and thorough physical examination. This examination should focus on the manifestations of diabetic neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease, and, in particular, any evidence of diabetic foot ulcers or infection. Prevention strategies should include a multi-disciplinary approach centered on patient education.

[Recent progress in foot and ankle surgery]

The article focuses on the recent progress in foot and ankle surgery, including the diagnosis of disease, treatment protocols, outcomes, and evaluation tools as well as other innovations. New and accurate diagnostic modalities and measurements have undergone a breakthrough. Diagnostic modalities tend to be simpler and less expensive. Measurement tools also change to simpler and more accurate. The accuracy and efficacy of surgery and the minimally invasive method have become more popular and important. New treatments and basic research have also made breakthroughs.

Foot and Ankle Surgery in the Diabetic Population

The surgical treatment of diabetic patients can be challenging. The physiologic and metabolic abnormalities seen in diabetic patients can adversely affect healing and outcomes in even the simplest of procedures. This article examines some of the special considerations in the treatment of diabetic patients undergoing foot and ankle surgeries.

End-Stage Renal Disease Negatively Affects Physical Quality of Life in Patients With Diabetic Foot Complications

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on health-related quality of life (QOL) in patients with diabetic foot disease. We compared a group of 30 diabetic patients with ESRD requiring dialysis to a group of 60 diabetic patients without ESRD. Both groups consisted of patients with active diabetic foot disease (ulcer, Charcot, infection) and were matched with regard to age and gender. Self-reported QOL was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) physical and mental component summary (PCS and MCS) scores and the region-specific Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Diabetic foot patients with ESRD requiring dialysis were found to have significantly higher creatinine levels, lower hemoglobin levels, lower albumin levels, higher rates of peripheral arterial disease, and lower rates of Charcot neuroarthropathy than patients without ESRD. The median PCS was significantly lower in the ESRD group; however, no significant difference was found when comparing the median MCS and FAAM. Patients who ultimately died had a tendency to report lower PCS scores at baseline compared with those patients who did not die ( P = .07). Patients who ultimately required major amputation also reported lower PCS scores at baseline. ESRD negatively affects physical QOL to a greater degree than mental QOL in patients with diabetic foot disease. The SF-36 may not be sensitive enough to capture impaired mental QOL because both groups had relatively high MCS scores. Low physical QOL may be associated with mortality and the eventual need for major amputation.

Improved Quality of Life After Transtibial Amputation in Patients With Diabetes-Related Foot Complications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate health-related quality of life after major lower-extremity amputation in a cohort of patients with diabetes mellitus. We evaluated 81 patients with diabetes and transtibial amputation (TTA) who had a minimum of 1 year of follow-up. Of these 81 patients, 50.6% completed the Short Form Survey (SF-36) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) preoperatively and postoperatively. Outcome measures before and after TTA were compared using Welch’s ANOVA for continuous variables and Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. There was significant improvement in all 8 subscales of the SF-36, physical component summary (PCS) score, mental component summary (MCS) score, and the FAAM. The median SF-36 PCS score improved from 26.2 to 36.6 preoperatively versus postoperatively ( P < .0005). The postoperative PCS score improved in 75.6% of patients and worsened in 24.4%. The median SF-36 MCS score improved from 43.7 to 56.1 preoperatively versus postoperatively ( P < .0005). Both the FAAM activities of daily living (ADL; P < .005) and FAAM sports scores ( P < .05) improved significantly. The postoperative FAAM general/ADL score improved in 75.6% of patients and worsened in 24.4%. Patients who were nonambulatory postoperatively had significantly lower SF-36 general health subscale scores and lower FAAM scores than patients who were ambulatory postoperatively. In select patients with nonfunctional lower extremities resulting from instability and/or chronic infection, TTA can result in significant improvement in quality of life and lower-extremity function. We acknowledge that 25% of patients had a reduction in self-reported quality of life; however, 75% of patients improved their quality of life.

Comparison of Diabetic Charcot Patients With and Without Foot Wounds

BACKGROUND

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of a series of patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) who were evaluated in a tertiary care setting. We hypothesized that those patients with CN who presented with a Charcot-related foot wound would have lower rates of successful limb salvage than patients who presented without a wound.

METHODS

Two hundred forty-five patients (280 feet) were identified with diabetic CN during the time period from January 1, 2005, to June 1, 2015. This consecutive cohort of patients was treated by a single surgeon and had a mean age of 57.9 ± 10.0 years. Our CN patients were divided into 2 groups for the purpose of our analysis. Our study group included those patients who presented to our clinic with a Charcot-related foot wound. Our control group was composed of CN patients who presented without a Charcot-related foot wound.

RESULTS

Overall, 78 feet (27.9%) were successfully treated nonoperatively and 202 feet (72.1%) required some type of surgery. Of the 202 feet that received surgery, 22 (10.9%) were not felt to be suitable for reconstruction and underwent a definitive transtibial amputation without an attempt at reconstruction. An additional 18 patients underwent soft tissue surgery, which included drainage of infection, posterior muscle group lengthening, or soft tissue reconstructive flap surgery. The remaining 162 feet underwent osseous surgery, which included ostectomies for osteomyelitis, exostectomies, osteotomies, and arthrodesis. Eighteen of the 180 limbs (10.0%) that underwent soft tissue or osseous reconstruction ultimately required a transtibial amputation, resulting in a successful limb salvage rate of 90.0%. Thirty-five amputations were performed in 164 feet (21.3%) with Charcot-related foot wounds compared with 5 amputations in 116 feet (4.5%) without Charcot-related foot wounds (OR 6.02, 95% CI 2.28-15.91, P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

The presence of a Charcot-related foot wound at presentation increased the likelihood of a major lower extremity amputation by a factor of 6. Other risk factors that were associated with major amputation in patients included active infection at presentation, nonunion/instability after reconstruction, and a postoperative wound problem. The overall rate of successful limb salvage in patients deemed reconstructive candidates was 90%.

LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective, case-control study.

Medial Arterial Calcification: An Overlooked Player in Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a global health issue that is becoming more prevalent in an aging world population. Diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease are also on the increase, and both are associated with accelerated vascular calcification and an unfavorable prognosis in PAD. These data challenge the traditional athero-centric view of PAD, instead pointing toward a disease process complicated by medial arterial calcification. Like atherosclerosis, aging is a potent risk factor for medial arterial calcification, and accelerated vascular aging may underpin the devastating manifestations of PAD, particularly in patients prone to calcification. Consequently, this review will attempt to dissect the relationship between medial arterial calcification and atherosclerosis in PAD and identify common as well as novel risk factors that may contribute to and accelerate progression of PAD. In this context, we focus on the complex interplay between oxidative stress, DNA damage, and vascular aging, as well as the unexplored role of neuropathy.

Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients With Diabetic Charcot Neuroarthropathy

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) that can lead to pedal ulceration, infection, hospitalization, and amputation. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is also found in patients with diabetic foot disease; however, its prevalence in patients with CN has not been extensively evaluated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of PAD in a group of patients with CN (with and without ulceration) and compare this to a group of patients with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) and no CN. We compared the lower extremity noninvasive arterial testing results of 85 patients with DM and CN with those from a group of 126 patients with DFU and no CN. No statistically significant differences were found in age, gender, type of DM (1 versus 2), insulin use, duration of DM, or history of dialysis between our study and control groups. The prevalence of PAD in the patients with CN was 40%. Compared with patients with DFUs, the patients with CN were less likely to have PAD (odds ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.85; p = .0111), ischemia (odds ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.69; p = .0033), or the need for revascularization (odds ratio 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.10 to 0.73; p = .0097). Critical limb ischemia (great toe pressure <30 mm Hg) was 82% less likely in patients with CN than in patients with DFU. PAD in patients with CN is not uncommon; however, ischemia and the need for revascularization were significantly less likely than in patients with DFU without CN.