Patient's question:
Patient is female, 75 years old, with diabetes for over 5 years, stage three hypertension.，。Recently, there has been a ulcer on the right third toe, with black spots under the nail, redness, swelling, and pain at the base of the toe, as well as numbness and pain throughout the foot.
Hello, is this diabetic foot? How serious is this ulcer condition? What treatment is needed? Under what circumstances would amputation be necessary?
Doctor's answer:
Clinically, the number of patients seeking medical attention for diabetic foot toe ulcers, black necrosis, and gangrene has been gradually increasing. Initially, patients may experience lower limb coldness, pain, and numbness, followed by toe ulcers that quickly progress to skin blackening and necrosis, ultimately requiring amputation of the affected toes. In the past, when encountering such conditions, internists primarily focused on controlling blood sugar, antiplatelet aggregation, improving microcirculation, and anti-inflammatory and antiviral treatments to manage the progression of the disease. If the limb could not be saved, surgical intervention was necessary for amputation.