Grzegorz Onik
Medical University of Silesia, Poland
Biography
Diabetic foot ulcers are the main reason for hospitalization in diabetic patients. In 85% of cases, diabetic foot ulcers antecede lower limb amputations which have high post amputation five-year mortality. Diabetes mellitus has been proved to alter rheological properties of blood, however, there are little reports about hemorheology in people with diabetic foot ulcers. The study included 16 diabetic patients (2 females, 14 males) with foot's ulcerations (mean age: 66.66±9.39 years) and 20 healthy people (14 females, 2 males) with age: 52.6±7.24 years. In patients with diabetic foot ulcers, increased corrected blood viscosity and plasma viscosity was observed. Erythrocyte aggregation was also enhanced. Analysis of morphological and biochemical blood properties indicated the presence of a chronic vascular insult in the study group. Physical medicine modalities may effectively complement standard treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Application of variable magnetic fields and local hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates numerous biological effects which may enhance wound healing. Angiogenesis, analgesia, anti-inflammatory effect, edema reduction, epithelization, and bactericidal effect are the most frequently listed. As physical medicine modalities have little side effects and contraindications, they should be widely applied in diabetic foot ulcers therapy.
Abstract
Grzegorz Onik has completed his Graduation in Physiotherapy from the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. Currently, he is serving as a Lecturer at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice in Department of Physical Medicine. He is a Member of the Polish Society of Cryotherapy (Board Member) and Polish Society of Gastroenterological Rehabilitation.