Stem cells treat foot wounds

Diabetic foot complications are responsible for many lower extremity amputations. But that final drastic step can be prevented up to 85 percent of the day with early diagnosis and proper care.

Now Thai researchers and physicians have shown using a patient’s own stem cells can effectively heal chronic foot wounds. Diabetes patients with chronic foot wounds, aged 50-72, were injected with stem cells obtained from their own blood. Most excitedly, the wounds healed nicely within three to four months. The stem cell treatment additionally makes fiscal sense. According to

that editorial, stem cell treatment for wounds in a patient with diabetes costs approximately $6,000, one-fifth the cost of conventional treatment for a leg wound.

Studies have shown primary care physicians often fail to examine the feet of patients with diabetes. It’s a shame, as that step is the least costly and most effective way to prevent foot wounds and potential amputations. But at the same instance, it is nice to know there is a promising, cheaper treatment utilizing patient-donated stem cells.

Original post by Bev Sklar