Case Study
Chronic Diabetic Heel Wound – 64-Year-Old Male
Patient Profile:
• Age: 64
• Medical History: Long-standing diabetes mellitus
• Presenting Condition: Chronic heel wound on the left foot
Case Summary
A 64-year-old male with a history of diabetes presented with a chronic heel wound that initially developed from a blister. Despite standard wound care, the wound failed to show significant healing progression for over 8 months.
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Before
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After
Assessment & Challenges
Wound Type: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU)
Location: Posterior heel
Duration: 8 months
Initial Presentation: Chronic, stalled wound with minimal granulation tissue and no signs of infection
Complicating Factors: Poor circulation and impaired healing due to diabetes
Location: Posterior heel
Duration: 8 months
Initial Presentation: Chronic, stalled wound with minimal granulation tissue and no signs of infection
Complicating Factors: Poor circulation and impaired healing due to diabetes
Treatment Plan
The patient was referred to United Wound Care Centers, where a comprehensive wound care strategy was implemented. This included:
• Sharp debridement
• Offloading techniques
• Infection control
• Use of advanced skin substitute therapy
The wound was treated with a skin substitute applied over four treatments spaced appropriately to promote tissue regeneration and re-epithelialization.
Results
Following the specialized wound care protocol:
• The wound size was reduced by 94% over the course of 4 weeks
• Significant improvement in granulation tissue and epithelial coverage was observed
• The patient reported improved comfort and mobility
Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of advanced wound care techniques, particularly in chronic, non-healing diabetic wounds. The use of skin substitutes in conjunction with proper wound management significantly accelerated healing and prevented further complications, including potential amputation.
Before Treatment:
• Patient sought treatment from a podiatrist to resolve wound with Silvadene IV, Antibiotics through a PIC line, and vacuum pump every 4-6 weeks for two years.
• Patient developed Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph Infection).
• Two and a half years after developing the wound, the patient’s improvement was stagnated, with minimal to no measurable improvement for 8 months.
• Their functional limitation due to heel and leg pain was so great that he could only walk 60-70 feet with out rest.
• Pain also limited sleep, ability to work, and tolerance to activities of daily living.
• Patient developed Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph Infection).
• Two and a half years after developing the wound, the patient’s improvement was stagnated, with minimal to no measurable improvement for 8 months.
• Their functional limitation due to heel and leg pain was so great that he could only walk 60-70 feet with out rest.
• Pain also limited sleep, ability to work, and tolerance to activities of daily living.
During/After Treatment:
• Had initial consultation on March 3 and followed up on March 15 with no improvement noted.
• Insurance authorization for skin substitute treatment was initiated was and subsequently approved.
• Initiated treatment on March 24th.
• Wound size was reduced 94% on April 28 (the same year).
• Seen for a follow up on May 21 with no report of pain, drainage, or issues.
• Lives without further treatment from a podiatrist and has the ability to walk pain-free.