← Debridement and Drainage Clinical Cases

Diabetic Foot Ankle Ulcer Limb Salvage

Clinical presentation, surgical treatment and documented healing.

01 / Problem: Clinical presentation
02 / Procedure: Surgical approach
03 / Outcome: Healing & follow-up

Clinical photographs below include wounds and surgical treatment.

01 / CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Problem

A 71-year-old man with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus presented with a large diabetic foot ulcer over the ankle, a challenging location because of limited soft-tissue coverage and delayed healing. Extensive tissue necrosis required prompt surgical treatment to prevent progression of infection and preserve the limb.

Diabetic Foot Ankle Ulcer Limb Salvage before image — Problem

02 / SURGICAL APPROACH

Procedure

Radical surgical debridement was performed, removing all non-viable tissue until healthy, bleeding margins were achieved. Careful wound bed preparation preserved the surrounding healthy structures and promoted progressive granulation and secondary healing.

03 / HEALING & FOLLOW-UP

Outcome

The wound healed completely within 2.5 months, with healthy granulation tissue and progressive wound contraction, achieving successful limb salvage.

This case demonstrates that even extensive ankle ulcers—despite their notoriously poor healing potential—can heal successfully with meticulous surgical debridement, appropriate wound bed preparation