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Suggest Treatment For Open Sores Under The Feet

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Posted on Tue, 21 Nov 2017
Question: My husband has a small open sore on the bottom of his foot. His leg has bad circulation due to an old injury. The sore is healing slowly, and it looks like it may be infected. What can we do to treat this at home? Will soaking in Epsom salts help?
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please give details and post photos

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood the concerns.
Please give additional information for me to assist you better:
Since when is the ulcer present?
What is the size, shape, any pus, tenderness on cleaning or loss of sensation?
What was the injury that reduced circulation?
Please post clear and focused photos as they help sometimes for on- the-spot diagnosis.
Any medical diseases like diabetes or hypertension?
What are the medications oral or local/ topical?
Please give details.
Awaiting.
With regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (58 minutes later)
On the bottom of his left foot. The leg and foot were injured in an automobile accident years ago. He has had hip and knee surgery in the past and has a drop foot on that leg. The sore has been there for several weeks. We have been treating it with Epsom Salt hot water soaks, alcohol, and skin softener since the skin surrounding the wound is hard. No diabetes or hypertension. Only medicine is Tylenol. His foot has been under pressure from his shoes due to the fact the last hip replacement surgery left the foot 30% off to the left. I will try to submit a photo. I’m not sure I know how. I’ll do my best. Your help is appreciated.

I sent pictures to YYYY@YYYY with the transaction # and request to be forwarded to you.
There has been some pink drainage from the wound and tenderness. He has a lot of pain.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Pain indicates inflammation. The hardened skin around the ulcer does not allow the natural process of healing by advancement. Pink discharge may be indicative of an infection and may need prescription based antibiotics.
Hence I would advise you the following in such a situation:
First of all the footwear may need re-designing to avoid the friction and/or pressure being one of the basic causes.
Prescription based medicines to increase blood supply without which the healing is delayed.
Oral antibiotics if there is an evidence of infection by clinical evaluation and by lab tests of the discharge.
Addition of multivitamins as antioxidants do help in better and faster healing.
Local use of Hydrogen peroxide helps cleaning the wound the best and then apply Liquid Povidone Iodine to keep the area sterile and avoid secondary infection.
Additional investigations of blood, color doppler studies to see for the level of blood supply and as needed help in evaluation and adding appropriate measures and medications.
Consulting a Doctor, preferably a General Surgeon or Podiarist will definitely help as a personal evaluation helps tremendously to find the causes and thus get treated accordingly.
Please send the photos again and you can try to attach the photos with this query too : You can upload images/reports with the help of the 'Upload' feature available on the right side of your page. Alternatively you can send to YYYY@YYYY
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (14 hours later)
Reports are attached.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the photos.
This is a non-healing wound of the foot.
The tissues surrounding are cornified as a body's response to the pressure and/or the wound.
Please do not apply alcohol as it hardens the skin further.
Please follow the management as I have discussed above in details and will help early healing. To re-post:
Hence I would advise you the following in such a situation:
First of all the footwear may need re-designing to avoid the friction and/or pressure being one of the basic causes.
Prescription based medicines to increase blood supply without which the healing is delayed.
Oral antibiotics if there is an evidence of infection by clinical evaluation and by lab tests of the discharge.
Addition of multivitamins as antioxidants do help in better and faster healing.
Local use of Hydrogen peroxide helps cleaning the wound the best and then apply Liquid Povidone Iodine to keep the area sterile and avoid secondary infection.
Additional investigations of blood, color doppler studies to see for the level of blood supply and as needed help in evaluation and adding appropriate measures and medications.
Consulting a Doctor, preferably a General Surgeon or Podiarist will definitely help as a personal evaluation helps tremendously to find the causes and thus get treated accordingly.

Take care, these measure will surely help.
With Regards.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Open Sores Under The Feet

Brief Answer: Please give details and post photos Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history and understood the concerns. Please give additional information for me to assist you better: Since when is the ulcer present? What is the size, shape, any pus, tenderness on cleaning or loss of sensation? What was the injury that reduced circulation? Please post clear and focused photos as they help sometimes for on- the-spot diagnosis. Any medical diseases like diabetes or hypertension? What are the medications oral or local/ topical? Please give details. Awaiting. With regards.