External Shock Wave Therapy: Part 2

So what does all this mean?

Diabetes is a complex disease and there is no single ideal treatment for a diabetic ulcer. In the present study, only 30 patients were studied and the blood supply to the foot was not fully documented. If there is no blood supply to the leg, there is no therapy today that can heal an ulcer. Further, ESWT requires treatment for 1-2 minutes every 72 hours and only 50% of diabetic wounds close after 2 months. By the way, one should note that conventional treatment in the same study resulted in 33% of wound closure. Therefore, the difference was not that great.

Further, ESWT is only experimental and not the panacea for a diabetic foot ulcer. Individuals who have diabetes should take great care of their feet, control their blood sugars, wear protective shoes, and not smoke. For those who already have an ulcer, remember hundreds of such exotic therapies have come and gone. Continue with the present therapy, select a good wound care physician. Finally, never ever let a podiatrist touch your feet without first talking to your vascular surgeon.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/704114