As. Landsman et R. Sage, OFF-LOADING NEUROPATHIC WOUNDS ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETES USING AN ANKLE-FOOT ORTHOSIS, Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 87(8), 1997, pp. 349-357
Patients with chronic diabetes have a broad spectrum of associated per
ipheral neurologic deficits that culminate in an increased susceptibil
ity to ulcer formation. The authors focus on the use of the ankle-foot
orthosis as both a treatment and a definitive solution for achieving
ulcer closure and for minimizing the chance of ulcer recurrence in the
ambulatory patient. An analysis of the pathologic forces encountered,
and the solution achieved with the ankle-foot orthosis is presented.
In addition, the results from a clinical pilot study in subjects with
recalcitrant ulcers secondary to Charcot's neuroarthropathy are presen
ted.