Burns of the Feet

Foot Burn Injury in Patient with Diabetic Neuropathy—Case Report and Review of Literature

“…As burn injuries are highly susceptible to secondary infection, any delay in presentation further complicates and prolongs hospital stay [2,13]. Not surprisingly, our two patients who presented two weeks after their burn injury had a prolonged treatment course.…”

“…Reduced peripheral sensation and circulation can affect recognition of injury and delay presentation to a burn clinic for wound management [1,2]. In a study done by Memmel et al [13] on 1794 patients (of which 130 were diabetics) showed that non-diabetic burn patients presented earlier to the burn clinic than diabetic patients for the treatment of their injury.…”

“…Due to the sensory loss in the lower extremities, accidental foot burns may develop in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. Reduced peripheral sensation and impaired circulation can affect early recognition of injury and delay presentation to a burn clinic [1,2].…”

“…Foot burns can be managed conservatively with bed rest, regular wound dressings, with the aim of reducing edema, and avoiding infection to optimize wound healing [2,3]. Surgical management may be required, including excision of eschar and skin grafting.…”

Burned foot reconstruction

“…In the pediatric, disabled, or elderly age group, foot burns may result from abuse or neglect. In general, burns to the feet are best managed in the hospital; often there is initial outpatient treatment with subsequent hospital admission and inpatient care [7,36,37]. Early ambulation and discharge is possible with application of an Unna boot after skin grafting [33]; the patient ambulates without crutches and is discharged from hospital 1 week after grafting.…”