Publication:

Diabetic foot ulcer with osteomyelitis in a young type 1 diabetic: a case report

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) infection and osteomyelitis increase the risk of lower limb amputation. The prevalence of osteomyelitis (OM) varies between 20 and 68%. Resection of infected and necrotic bone is advocated as treatment for patients with osteomyelitis. This case report aims to highlight a DFU in a young adult with type 1 diabetes. We present a case of a 30-year-old Kuwaiti male who presented with progressive pain from a right foot DFU at the level of the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) base, associated with fever and loss of appetite for two weeks. MRI revealed osteomyelitis involving the proximal phalanx of the 5th digit and the distal shaft and head of the 5th metatarsal. The patient underwent successful debridement and resection of the 5th MTPJ. Post-operatively, he was managed with advanced dressing and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), which was discontinued after two sessions due to surrounding skin maceration. Topical hemoglobin spray was then used. The wound almost completely healed within approximately 10 weeks.