Treatment of diabetic foot and diabetes, Dr. Ashraf Sabry

Dr. Ashraf Sabry explains that diabetic foot is one of the important complications of diabetes that may occur due to a combination of factors such as reduced sensation caused by peripheral neuropathy, poor blood circulation, and delayed wound healing, and the problem may begin with a small wound or ulcer and then progress to infection or tissue damage if it is not detected and treated early, which is why diabetic foot cases require prompt and comprehensive medical evaluation.

The Importance of Treating Diabetic Foot

Dr. Ashraf Sabry emphasizes that diabetic foot treatment does not depend only on treating the wound itself, but also requires evaluating blood circulation, sensation, the severity of infection, tissue and bone condition, along with good blood sugar control, pressure relief from the foot, proper wound care, and appropriate treatment, because early management can help reduce the risk of complications and the need for surgical intervention.

Diabetes Complications That Affect the Foot

Dr. Ashraf Sabry confirms that diabetes complications, such as peripheral neuropathy and reduced blood flow to the limbs, can increase the risk of foot wounds and ulcers and delay healing, while loss of sensation may prevent the patient from noticing a wound, burn, or continuous pressure on a specific area of the foot, making regular follow-up and foot examinations important steps in preventing complications.

The Role of Oxygen Therapy in Diabetic Foot Treatment

Dr. Ashraf Sabry warns that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be used as an adjunctive treatment in selected cases of diabetic foot ulcers that are difficult to heal, as breathing oxygen at increased pressure raises the amount of oxygen available to tissues experiencing reduced blood flow or oxygenation, but oxygen therapy is not considered a substitute for wound care, infection control, improving blood circulation, or managing blood sugar levels.

When Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Be Used?

Dr. Ashraf Sabry explains that the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for diabetic foot depends on careful medical assessment, and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society indicates that it may be considered as an additional treatment for certain deep diabetic foot ulcers, particularly cases classified as Wagner Grade 3 or higher that have not shown adequate improvement after an appropriate period of standard treatment or following certain surgical procedures, while there is insufficient evidence to recommend its routine use for less severe ulcers.

How Does Oxygen Help Wound Healing?

Dr. Ashraf Sabry emphasizes that oxygen is an essential element in wound healing, as it contributes to processes such as collagen formation, blood vessel development, and tissue regeneration, while hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen pressure in hypoxic tissues, which may support certain stages of healing in diabetic foot ulcers in patients who are appropriate candidates for treatment.

Oxygen Is Not a Standalone Treatment for Infection

Dr. Ashraf Sabry confirms that hyperbaric oxygen therapy should not be used as a standalone treatment for infection in diabetic foot, because infection requires appropriate medical evaluation and may require removal of infected tissue, antibiotics, or surgical intervention depending on its severity, while clinical guidelines do not recommend hyperbaric or topical oxygen therapy simply because a diabetic foot infection is present.

Cleaning and Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Dr. Ashraf Sabry warns that cleaning diabetic foot ulcers and proper wound care are essential components of treatment, and some patients may require removal of dead or infected tissue, regular dressing changes, and assessment of wound depth and whether it has extended to deeper tissues or bones, while wound-care methods are selected according to the nature of the ulcer, blood circulation, and presence of infection.

Treatment of Poor Blood Circulation

Dr. Ashraf Sabry explains that poor blood circulation in diabetic foot may be one of the causes of delayed wound healing, which is why blood flow to the affected limb should be evaluated when signs of reduced circulation are present, and some patients may require specialized vascular assessment and procedures to improve blood flow before or alongside wound treatment, because adequate blood and oxygen delivery to tissues is an important factor in healing.

The Importance of Blood Sugar Control

Dr. Ashraf Sabry emphasizes that blood sugar control is an important part of diabetic foot treatment, as persistent high blood sugar may be associated with an increased risk of complications and delayed wound healing, making it important to monitor blood glucose levels and follow the prescribed diabetes treatment, nutrition, and appropriate activity plan, without changing diabetes medications or doses without medical advice.

Preventing Diabetic Foot Complications

Dr. Ashraf Sabry confirms that diabetic foot prevention depends on regularly examining both feet and watching for wounds or changes in skin color, temperature, or appearance, wearing appropriate footwear, avoiding walking barefoot, checking shoes before wearing them, and maintaining blood sugar within the targets recommended by the physician, because identifying problems at an early stage may help prevent them from progressing.

When Does a Diabetic Patient Need Urgent Evaluation?

Dr. Ashraf Sabry warns that a prompt medical evaluation is necessary when a diabetic patient develops an ulcer or wound that does not heal, redness or swelling of the foot, discharge, changes in skin color, fever, increasing pain, or blackened areas, because these signs may indicate infection, poor circulation, or tissue damage requiring urgent medical intervention.

Follow-Up After Oxygen Therapy

Dr. Ashraf Sabry explains that follow-up for diabetic foot patients during and after hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes evaluating the wound, blood circulation, blood sugar levels, and response to treatment, while tissue oxygenation measurements may be used in some cases to help assess hypoxia and the potential response to therapy, with the treatment plan and number of sessions varying according to the patient's condition and the assessment of the specialized medical team.

Dr. Ashraf Sabry emphasizes that treating diabetic foot and diabetes complications with oxygen therapy may be beneficial as an adjunctive treatment in selected cases of diabetic foot ulcers that are difficult to heal, but it should be part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes wound care, infection control, improving blood circulation, blood sugar management, and pressure relief, making individual medical assessment essential to determine whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy is appropriate under specialized medical supervision.