The effects of applied felted foam on wound healing and healing times in the therapy of neuropathic XXXX .

@entity1 @entity6 @entity202 @entity1066 @entity1411 @entity4760
AIMS: The application of felted foam is a promising method for plantar pressure reduction in the @entity1066 region of @entity4760 , but knowledge of its effects on wound healing is sparse. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of felted foam on wound healing in @entity4760 compared with a standard method of plantar pressure relief. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 54 Type 1 or Type 2 @entity6 @entity1 with neuropathic @entity4760 were evaluated in this prospective randomized controlled study. @entity1066 was assessed by planimetric measurement of the wound area at beginning of the study and after 10 weeks and at least until wound healing. The @entity1 were consecutively enrolled in the study; 24 @entity1 were randomized to the felted foam therapy, and 30 @entity1 were randomized to conventional therapy. RESULTS: In the felted foam group, the initial average wound area was 102.3 +/- 45.3 @entity202 (mean +/- sd), and 5.4 +/- 3.1 @entity202 after 10 weeks with an average healing time of 75 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 67-84]. In the conventional therapy group, the initial average wound area was 112.5 +/- 50.8 @entity202 , and 10.6 +/- 4.2 @entity202 after 10 weeks with an average healing time of 85 days (95% CI 79-92) (P = 0.03). The mean wound radius decreased by 0.48 mm (95% CI 0.42-0.56) per week in the felted foam group and by 0.39 mm (95% CI 0.35-0.42) per week in the conventional group (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The felted foam technique appears to be at least as effective as @entity1411 treatment. It may be a useful alternative in treating @entity1411 , especially in @entity1 who are not able to avoid weight-bearing reliably.
