ABSTRACT
Introduction Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), affecting approximately 15% of all diabetic patients. This condition poses significant challenges due to its association with major morbidity, mortality, high costs, and diminished quality of life. The incidence of diabetic foot complications among diagnosed diabetes cases is alarming, making it a primary concern in diabetes management. Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder, impacts nearly every system in the body. Methods In this study, a cross-sectional design was employed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices related to foot care among 432 diabetic patients in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia. Results The participants' ages ranged from 18 to above 60 years, with (n = 206, 47.69%) being male and (n = 226, 52.31%) female. Type 2 diabetes was prevalent, constituting (n = 277, 64.12%) of cases, whereas (n = 187, 38.29%) had type 1 diabetes. Approximately (n= 224, 51.9%) of patients had been diagnosed with diabetes for less than 10 years. A significant portion (n= 302, 69.91%) of patients did not report any foot complaints. However, (n= 88, 20.37%) had a history of healed ulcers, and (n= 21, 4.9%) had undergone amputation due to diabetes. The majority of patients (n = 228, 52.78%) were under oral agent treatment. Conclusion The study population demonstrated adequate knowledge about diabetes management and exhibited positive attitudes toward diabetes and its related complications, particularly concerning foot care. While most patients displayed appropriate practices related to diabetic foot care, some participants showed inadequate adherence to essential procedures. Addressing these gaps in knowledge and practices is crucial for enhancing the overall management of diabetic foot complications among patients.
ABSTRACT
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of athletes' most severe and frequent knee ligament injuries. The primary function of the ACL is preventing excessive anterior tibial translation, and it limits varus/valgus stress when the knee is in full extension and rotatory movements. Returning to sport after an ACL injury is a crucial aim of ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Multiple factors, modifiable and nonmodifiable, can influence the time to return to sport. This study aimed to discuss factors that affect optimal return-to-play (RTP) timing, symptom recurrence, and long-term consequences of an ACL injury. This is a cross-sectional study involving patients who are following in orthopedic surgery outpatient clinics with a history of ACLR at least six months before surgery and not beyond six years after surgery. Participants received a survey about their sociodemographic data, details of the type and site of injury, and ACL return to sport before and after reconstruction scale. Full data description and testing of dependent variables against participant variables using two-sided tests were performed with a significance level of P ≤ 0.05. The study involved 129 participants, of which the majority were male Bisha residents aged 20 to 29 years. The study found that the right leg was the most commonly injured, with the dominant leg being the most frequently reconstructed due to problems with knee function. Before the injury, most participants ran, cut (quick changes of direction during running), decelerated, and pivoted activities four or more times per month. However, physical activities notably reduced after ACLR. Age and body mass index (BMI) showed statistical significance related to the likelihood of returning to physical activities. The study found a significant reduction in the frequency of activities such as cutting, deceleration, and running after ACLR. Age was identified as a predictor affecting the likelihood of returning to the sport, with older patients being less likely to return than younger ones.
