Lower limb amputation in diabetic foot disease: experience in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria

The diabetic foot is characterised by the triad of neuropathy, infection, and ischaemia, which may ultimately lead to limb amputation. It is important to understand the factors that place diabetic patients at increased risk of amputation in our society, hence the need for this study. The medical records of all patients admitted and treated for diabetic foot complications over a 3-year period (January 2007 to December 2009) were retrieved. Relevant information was obtained from the case notes. Thirty-six (36) patients entered the study, 25 males and 11 females (M:F ratio 2.3:1.0). Mean age was 54 years (range 24­74). Patients presented with foot gangrene (58%), ulceration (31%) and infection (11%) with trauma being the most common precipitating factor (53%). Nineteen patients (53%) had lower limb amputation, the commonest of which was below knee. Of the patients that had amputation, 18 (95%) had type 2 diabetics. Adequate diabetic foot disease preventive strategies need to be designed and implemented to reduce the incidence of lower limb amputations

Footcare practices among Nigerian diabetic patients presenting with foot gangrene

Diabetic foot ulceration and gangrene is a major cause of morbidity andmortality. This study has examined potential preventive footcare practices in a cohort of diabetic patients presenting with foot gangrene. One hundred and two (102) diabetic emergencies presented during the study period. Diabetic foot gangrene accounted for 27 (26%) of these cases. There were 18 males and 9 females (M:F = 2:1), with a mean age of 52+13 years. The mean duration of ulceration was 4±3 weeks and mean ulcer­gangrene interval was 1.2±0.5 weeks. Only 9 patients (33%) had been exposed to any form of footcare education, 15 patients (55%) treated their ulcers by unorthodox means, and 63% of the patients practiced no significant footcare. More widespread education and awareness is needed to prevent the continuing and serious problem of diabetic foot gangrene and consequent lower limb amputation

Patients' Perception of Traditional Bone Setting in Calabar

Background: Patients with orthopaedic injuries patronize traditional bonesetters in our communities. This study was undertaken to find out and document the reasons and factors responsible for this patronage; who made the choice; the role of healthworkers; patients' perception of the practice and if their experience will encourage or discourage them from patronizing traditional bone setting in future. We also compared the cost between orthodox and traditional bone setting for close humeral and femoral fractures. Methods: A prospective study of patients in three traditional bone setting centres in Calabar . A pre-tested questionnaire requesting information on age; sex; educational level; type of injury; reasons for choice of traditional bone setting was administered. Other details included who decided on traditional treatment; perception of outcome; and the option of choice in the event of a future injury. Results: There were 98 patients with 106 injuries. The male: female ratio was 66:32 (2.1:1) and age range was 9 months to 60 years. There were 76 fractures in 68 patients; 28 dislocations and 2 brachial plexus injuries. Traditional bone setting was chosen in 50 patients (51.0) because traditional bonesetters were believed to be more skillful than orthodox orthopaedic practitioners; 32 patients (32.7) thought it was cheaper; 12 patients (12.2) believed orthodox orthopaedic practitioners have no empathy towards their patients and 4 patients (4.1) had no health facility in their locality. In 68 patients (69.4) the locus of decision was external; in 22 patients (22.4) internal and 8 patients (8.2) were encouraged by a healthworker. Complications including pain; mal/nonunion; joint stiffness and contractures occurred in 60 patients (61.2). Treatment outcome was adjudged satisfactory by 48 patients (49.0); fair by 40 patients (40.8) and unsatisfactory by 10 patients (10.2). Traditional bone setting for the management of humeral and femoral fractures was more expensive than orthodox management. Conclusion: Traditional bone setting is popular for varied reasons. The freedom to advertise may have helped to woo a public already biased towards traditional bone setting by cultural attachment. A paradigm shift is necessary to reverse the trend

Patients' perception of traditional bone setting in Calabar

Background: Patients with orthopaedic injuries patronize traditional bonesetters in our communities. This study was undertaken to find out and document the reasons and factors responsible for this patronage; who made the choice; the role of healthworkers; patients' perception of the practice and if their experience will encourage or discourage them from patronizing traditional bone setting in future. We also compared the cost between orthodox and traditional bone setting for close humeral and femoral fractures.Methods: A prospective study of patients in three traditional bone setting centres in Calabar. A pre-tested questionnaire requesting information on age; sex; educational level; type of injury; reasons for choice of traditional bone setting was administered. Other details included who decided on traditional treatment; perception of outcome; and the option of choice in the event of a future injury. Results: There were 98 patients with 106 injuries. The male: female ratio was 66:32 (2.1:1) and age range was 9 months to 60 years. There were 76 fractures in 68 patients; 28 dislocations and 2 brachial plexus injuries. Traditional bone setting was chosen in 50 patients (51.0) because traditional bonesetters were believed to be more skillful than orthodox orthopaedic practitioners; 32 patients (32.7) thought it was cheaper; 12 patients (12.2) believed orthodox orthopaedic practitioners have no empathy towards their patients and 4 patients (4.1) had no health facility in their locality. In 68 patients (69.4) the locus of decision was external; in 22 patients (22.4) internal and 8 patients (8.2) were encouraged by a healthworker. Complications including pain; mal/nonunion; joint stiffness and contractures occurred in 60 patients (61.2). Treatment outcome was adjudged satisfactory by 48 patients (49.0); fair by 40 patients (40.8) and unsatisfactory by 10 patients (10.2). Traditional bone setting for the management of humeral and femoral fractures was more expensive than orthodox management. Conclusion: Traditional bone setting is popular for varied reasons. The freedom to advertise may have helped to woo a public already biased towards traditional bone setting by cultural attachment. A paradigm shift is necessary to reverse the trend

Review of Seventy consecutive cases of limb injuries in calabar the role of motorcyclists

Background: Limb injuries are common. The aims of this study were to evaluate the pattern of limb injuries seen at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH); Calabar and the role ofmotorcyclists in their causation. Methodology: Prospective study from 1st January; 2005. Seventy consecutive patients with limb injuries presenting at the accident and emergencyunit of UCTH were evaluated. Results: The seventy patients who entered the study presented between 1st January 2005 and 31st May 2005. They sustained eighty five (85) limb injuries.Ages ranged from 4.5years to 68years with mean of 30years. Male to female ratio was 2.7:1. Road Traffic Accident (RTA) was the commonest cause of injury accounting for 76.8of cases withmotorcycle accidents constituting 52.8of these. Fracture was the most common injury accounting for 54 cases (63.5). Fracture of the tibia and fibula (combined) was the most common fracture (37.0). Head injury was the most common associated injury (66.7). Conclusion: Motorcycle accidents are important causes of limb injuries. Appropriate measures to reduce incidence of road traffic accidents would significantly curtail the rate of occurrence of limb injuries

Chronic foot ulcer complicating a traumatic arteriovenous fistula

Background: Chronic foot ulcers could be a complication of traumatic arteriovenous (A-V) fistulation. We report a rare case of chronic foot ulcer and deformity resulting from arteriovenous fistula of the anterior tibial artery. Method: The clinical presentation and the outcome of treatment in a patient treated at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) Calabar are reported. The relevant literature on this subject matter is briefly reviewed. Result: A case of chronic foot ulcer and oedema secondary to traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the anterior tibial artery was managed by the authors at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. The diagnosis was mainly clinical as sophisticated equipment was not readily available and satisfactory healing was achieved by exploration; quadruple ligation; skin grafting and cast application. Conclusion: Prompt diagnosis and treatment of difficult cases should warrant sophisticated equipment to make diagnosis