Testimonial

Gangrene and Osteomyelitis

Mr Gray was scheduled for lower limb amputation subsequent to continuing diabetic complications presenting as gangrene of the 4^th toe of the left foot and osteomyelitis of the underlying bone structure.

Philip has a long established history of diabetes related and cardiovascular involvement. Several heart attacks, continuing poor diabetic control, carotid artery bypass have severely hampered his lifestyle during the preceding ten years.

He suffers varying degrees of memory and mental dysfunction, occasional difficulty in speech complicated with periods of chronic fatigue and tiredness. His foot problem developed over a period of several months, a pressure sore blistered progressively deteriorating.

The patient was extremely motivated to attempt an alternative approach to amputation given the fact that his brother who also suffered similar vascular compromise had an amputation followed by a higher level amputation of the same leg, unfortunately died several days later due to secondary complications.

Doppler investigation performed whilst in hospital, confirmed reduction of peripheral circulatory function with pulses absent. During routine hospital examination, he states that the involved ‘toe was handled extremely rough and felt as though it had been broken’. Additional X rays identified a pathological fracture with secondary bone involvement and infection.

Aggressive wound management including HBOT and topical application of hydrogen peroxide and dressing was administered. In addition to medical management including antibiotics, he was administered injectable vitamins and anti-oxidant and aminoacid preparation taken orally. Philip's wound response was obviously slow initially demonstrating continuing decline with several adjacent toes opening and becoming septic. Additional X-rays confirmed that secondary osteomylitis development had not progressed. Surgery was not ruled out during the initial treatment phase. Opinions varied from removal of the immediate and adjacent toes to lower limb salvage.

Eighty-four 90-minute chamber sessions were initially performed over a 5-month period with significant improvement. Additional doppler investigation confirmed improved peripheral circulation with lower limb pulses present. During the initial 5-month treatment period his wife and family confirmed considerable improvement in regards to his mental function and speech. This was equally matched by his increase in general activity levels.

Philip did not attend for treatment for the following 6-months with a further 16 90-minute HBOT sessions performed during a 6-month period after being absent for 6-months. Follow-up X-rays demonstrate the incredible ability of immune function and response absorbing dead bone material and tissue debris replacing them with viable cellular alternatives. His foot condition continues to remain stable, however his diabetic condition continues to fluctuate.