Diabetic Foot Chronic Leg Ulcer with Infection



Problem
An 80-year-old woman with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus presented with a chronic diabetic leg ulcer complicated by progressive soft-tissue necrosis, fever, and severe lower-limb edema. Persistent infection and marked edema impaired wound healing, requiring definitive surgical treatment and comprehensive medical management.
Procedure
Extensive surgical debridement was performed, removing all necrotic tissue and thoroughly curetting the wound until healthy, bleeding tissue was exposed. Careful wound bed preparation created optimal conditions for granulation tissue formation and secondary healing. Compression therapy and diuretic treatment were also instituted to reduce lower-limb edema and optimize wound healing.
Outcome
The infection resolved completely, healthy granulation tissue developed, and the wound healed completely within 5 months. Limb preservation was successfully achieved through meticulous surgical management combined with effective edema control.
This case demonstrates that successful healing of chronic diabetic leg ulcers depends not only on meticulous debridement but also on aggressive management of edema, creating the optimal environment for durable wound closure and limb salvage.