Anders Stenström

Decreasing incidence of major amputation in diabetic patients: a consequence of a multidisciplinary foot care team approach?

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the changes in diabetes‐related lower extremity amputations following the implementation of a multidisciplinary programme for prevention and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in a 0.2 million population with a 2.4 % prevalence of diabetes. All diabetes‐related primary amputations from toe to hip from 1 January 1982 to 31 December 1993 were included. In 294 diabetic patients, 387 primary major (above the ankle) or minor (through or below the ankle) amputations were performed, constituting 48 % of all lower extremity amputations. The annual number of amputations at all levels decreased from 38 to 21, equalling a decrease of incidence from 19.1 to 9.4/100 000 inhabitants (p = 0.001). The incidence of major amputations decreased by 78% from 16/1 to 3.6/100 000 inhabitants (p<0.001). The absolute number of amputations with a final level below the ankle showed no increase, but their proportion increased from 28 to 53 % (p<0.001) and the reamputation rate decreased from 36 to 22 % (p<0.05) between the first and last 3‐year period. Thus, a substantial long‐term decrease in the incidence of major amputations was seen as well as a decrease in the total incidence of amputations in diabetic patients. Seventy‐one per cent of the amputations were precipitated by a foot ulcer. These findings indicate that a multidisciplinary approach plays an important role to reduce and maintain a low incidence of major amputations in diabetic patients

Long-term prognosis after healed amputation in patients with diabetes

In this prospective study, mortality, rehabilitation, and new amputations on the same or on the contralateral leg were studied in 189 patients with diabetes who had achieved healing of an index amputation. Ninety-three patients had achieved healing after an index minor (below the ankle) and 96 after an index major (above the ankle) amputation, precipitated by a foot ulcer. The healing time was 29 weeks (range, 3–191 weeks) with a minor amputation and 8 weeks (range, 3–104 weeks) with a primary major amputation. The mortality 1, 3, and 5 years after the index amputation was 15%, 38%, and 68%, respectively, and was higher in patients who had achieved healing after major amputation than in patients achieving healing after minor amputation. The rate of new amputations after 1, 3, and 5 years of observation was 14%, 30%, and 49%, respectively. There was no difference among patients with an index minor and those with an index major amputation. The rate of new major amputations was 9%, 13%, and 23%, respectively, and was higher in patients with an index major amputation. Eighty-five percent of new amputations were precipitated by a foot ulcer. Patients living independently before the index amputation returned to living independently more often after a minor than a major amputation (93% versus 61%). One year after the index amputation, 70% of patients who had achieved healing after having a minor amputation and who could walk 1 km or more before amputation had regained this walking capacity, compared with 19% of patients having a major amputation. Seventy percent of patients with an index transtibial amputation who could walk before amputation were fitted with a prosthesis, and 52% were using it regularly. Patients with diabetes who had an index major amputation had a higher mortality, an equal rate of new amputation, and a lower rehabilitation potential than did patients who had an index minor amputation.

Clinical characteristics and outcome in 223 diabetic patients with deep foot infections

Clinical characteristics and outcome in 223 consecutive diabetic patients with deep foot infections are reported. Patients were treated by a multidisciplinary diabetic foot-care team at the University Hospital, Lund, Sweden, and were prospectively followed until healing or death. About 50% of patients lacked clinical signs of infection, such as a body temperature > 37.8°C, a sedimentation rate > 70 mm/hour, and white blood cell count (WBC) > 10 × 10 9 /liter. Eighty-six percent had surgery before healing or death. Thirty-nine percent healed without amputation; 34% healed after a minor and 8% after a major amputation. Sixteen percent were unhealed at death, and 3% were unhealed at the end of the observation period. Of those unhealed at death or follow-up, 4 patients had had a major and 11 a minor amputation. After correction for age and sex, duration of diabetes < 14 years, palpable popliteal pulse, a toe pressure > 45 mmHg, and an ankle pressure > 80 mm Hg, absence of exposed bone and a white blood cell count < 12 × 10 9 /liter were all related to healing without amputation in a logistic regression analysis. We conclude that although only 1 in 10 had a major amputation, nearly all diabetic patients with a deep foot infection needed surgery and more than one third had a minor amputation before healing or death in spite of a well-functioning diabetic foot-care team responsible for all included patients.

Prognostic value of systolic ankle and toe blood pressure levels in outcome of diabetic foot ulcer

The prognostic value of distal blood pressure measurements has been studied in 314 consecutive diabetic patients with foot ulcers. Systolic toe blood pressure was measured with a strain-gauge technique, and ankle pressure was measured with strain-gauge or Doppler techniques. Wound healing was defined as intact skin for at least 6 mo. One hundred ninety-seven patients healed primarily, 77 had amputations, and 40 died before healing had occurred. In 294 of 300 patients, it was possible to measure either ankle or toe pressure. Fourteen patients were not available for pressure measurements. Of these, 10 patients healed primarily, and 4 died before healing occurred. Both ankle and toe pressures were higher (P < .001) among patients who healed without amputation compared with those who underwent amputation or died before healing. No differences were seen in ankle or toe pressure levels among those who had amputations or died. No patient healed primarily with an ankle pressure < 40 mmHg. An upper limit above which amputation was not required could not be defined. Primary healing was achieved in 139 of 164 patients (85%) with a toe pressure level >45 mmHg, whereas 43 of 117 patients (36%; P < .001) healed without amputation when toe pressure was ≤45 mmHg. In conclusion, a combination of ankle and toe pressure measurements is a useful tool to predict primary healing in diabetic foot ulcers.

Wound Classification is More Important Than Site of Ulceration in the Outcome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

The importance of wound classification and site of ulceration was evaluated in 314 consecutive diabetic patients with foot ulcers. The ulcers were classified as superficial (through the full thickness of the dermis; n=150), deep (n=50), osteomyelitis and/or abscess (n=46), minor gangrene (n=39) or major gangrene (n=29). Wound healing was defined as intact skin for at least 6 months. In patients with superficial and deep ulcers, primary healing occurred in 88% and 78%, respectively, compared with 57% in those patient who developed an abscess and/or osteomyelitis. Only 2 out of 68 patients with gangrene healed (through mummification) without amputation. Patients with gangrene had lower ankle and toe blood pressure than patients with all other types of ulcers. There were only marginal differences in primary healing rate between different ulcer sites. The highest rate was seen in ulcers localized to the metatarsal heads (78%). Patients with multiple ulcers had the lowest primary healing rate (5%) compared with single ulcers at all sites. These differences were probably due to circulatory factors, since patients with multiple ulcers had lower distal perfusion pressures compared with all other groups.

Measuring Hallux Valgus: A Comparison of Conventional Radiography and Clinical Parameters with Regard to Measurement Accuracy:

To assess the repeatability and error of conventional x-ray measurements, intra- and interobserver evaluations of measurement accuracy were done on 20 preoperative and 40 postoperative (20 chevron and 20 proximal osteotomy) x-rays of hallux valgus patients. Standard x-rays showed an average interobserver error of measurement of 6.4° for the hallux valgus angle, 5.4° for the intermetatarsal angle, and 2.0 mm for the intermetatarsal distance. The intraobserver error did not differ greatly. The repeatability and error of two clinical measurements, ball circumference, and dorsal to plantar range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint were evaluated for 20 healthy volunteers. The ball circumference had an average measurement error of 1.1 cm, whereas the dorsal and plantar range of motion of the great toe had an average measurement error of 12° in dorsiflexion and 16° in plantarflexion. In both clinical and radiographic parameters, linear measurements were more accurate than angular measurements. Although x-rays are of value in hallux valgus surgery, standard x-rays are less accurate than previously assumed. Small changes produced by osteotomies may be hidden by the postoperative measurement error. The results of hallux valgus surgery should primarily be evaluated clinically. When clinical and radiological evaluations are made, linear measurements may be preferable.

Proximal Closing Wedge Osteotomy and Adductor Tenotomy for Treatment of Hallux Valgus

After 2 to 4 years, 25 patients (27 feet) who had a proximal closing wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal and an adductor tenotomy were reviewed. A total of 20 patients (22 of 27 feet) were completely satisfied; 5 patients not completely satisfied had metatarsalgia because of dorsal displacement of the first metatarsal head. Radiographic measurements showed a narrowing of the forefoot rather than a large change in the intermetatarsal angle. The recovery period was long, an average of 11 weeks. Pin inflammation occurred in 5 patients and incisional neuromas in 2 patients. The risk of these complications must be taken into consideration when using this operation.

Circulatory Disturbance of the First Metatarsal Head after Chevron Osteotomy as Shown by Bone Scintigraphy

Distal osteotomies, such as Chevron osteotomies, have a potentially high risk for circulatory disturbance, since they transect part of the circulatory apparatus. An increased risk of up to 40% of avascular necrosis diagnosed radiographically has been reported when the osteotomy is combined with adductor tenotomy. On the other hand, new circulatory studies indicate that the circulation does not go in direct proximity to the adductor tendon. In this prospective study, 38 consecutive patients (41 feet) were randomized to Chevron osteotomy alone or Chevron osteotomy with adductor tenotomy. They were investigated 2 to 9 days postoperatively with 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate scintigraphy as well as x-rays and clinical examination. The average follow up was 19 months (range 12–48 months). Three defects were found in those operated with Chevron osteotomy alone, and one defect was found in a patient operated with Chevron osteotomy and adductor tenotomy. None of the patients had symptoms attributable to reduced circulation of the metatarsal head. Repeat scans showed healing in all four cases. Radiographs failed to show any signs of necrosis. Thus, Chevron osteotomy is a safe method in the treatment of hallux valgus which can be combined with adductor tenotomy without increasing the risk for circulatory disturbance.

A Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Total Meniscectomy in Children

The long-term effects of single meniscectomy in 89 children have been analyzed at an average of 16.8 years after surgery. Seventy-four percent were pleased with the outcome, but only 52% or 58% had objectively satisfactory results according to the two scoring systems used. Significantly poorer results were achieved with lateral meniscectomies. The range of movement was significantly decreased after lateral meniscectomy. Minor instabilities were recorded in 45% of the patients and major instabilities in 15%. Anteroposterior and rotatory instabilities were objectively measured, and a significant increase was noted in knees that had lateral meniscectomy. Grade I gonarthrosis was recorded in 39% of the surgically treated knees and Grades II and III gonarthroses in 9%. The joint space was significantly reduced in all knees irrespective of the injured compartment.

Chevron osteotomy for hallux valgus not improved by additional adductor tenotomy: A prospective, randomized study of 84 patients

We investigated 106 feet in 84 patients in a prospective randomized series where the clinical and radiographic results of the original chevron osteotomy were compared to the same procedure with the addition of an adductor tenotomy in patients averaging 47 years of age and with a mean follow-up of 3 years. Clinically there was no difference in the satisfaction rate of the two groups, with 58 satisfied and partially satisfied in the 62 operated by chevron osteotomy alone, and 42 of 44 in the group where adductor tenotomy was added. The hallux valgus angle decreased by 7.5 degrees in the group operated with chevron osteotomy and by 9.8 degrees (P 0.04) when an adductor tenotomy was added. The major objective factor affecting satisfaction was the attainment of a decreased ball circumference, shown by the fact that dissatisfied patients had a greater postoperative ball circumference than both satisfied and partially satisfied patients, whereas there were no radiographic correlations to satisfaction. We cannot recommend adding adductor tenotomy to the chevron osteotomy.