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Diabetic, Half Right Foot Amputated, Healing Taking Time. Throbbing Pain, Foul Smell Coming. Normal?
I have a friend who had half of the right foot amputated. He is a very poor healer being diabetic. He had the amputation 4 weeks ago and has had a wound vac in place. He has had severe pain throbbing and foul smell he says nauseates him. the vac is removed on wed and is put back on friday so he gets thurs and fri break and he feels better with it off. is this normal. He is very depressed due to the slow healing and pain. should he be having such throbbing pain
Wed, 23 Oct 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Diabetic wounds are more prone for infections and the healing process will be very slow owing to the poor circulatory status in the limbs.
Presence of severe pain and foul smelling wound is highly suggestive of an infection in the wound. A few blood investigations along with blood culture and a culture swab from the wound are needed to establish the causative organism for an infection.
If there is any slough formation in the wound, adequate wound debridement is necessary followed by an appropriate use of an antibiotic as denoted by the culture sensitivity report.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
Diabetic wounds are more prone for infections and the healing process will be very slow owing to the poor circulatory status in the limbs.
Presence of severe pain and foul smelling wound is highly suggestive of an infection in the wound. A few blood investigations along with blood culture and a culture swab from the wound are needed to establish the causative organism for an infection.
If there is any slough formation in the wound, adequate wound debridement is necessary followed by an appropriate use of an antibiotic as denoted by the culture sensitivity report.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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