Transform infected ankle
Courtesy of Sally Florey, Advanced Podiatrist, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, UK
79-year-old female currently being treated for pancreatic cancer, with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus due to cancer, hyperlipidaemia, impaired glucose tolerance, laparotomy, and essential hypertension.
20 years prior, the patient was involved in a road traffic accident and required a skin graft on her right ankle. The wound had previously opened up and subsequently healed. The patient suffered with bilateral leg ulcers with cellulitis and was housebound except for hospital visits for cancer treatment. Over the coming months she also experienced crumbly nails, swollen feet, and blisters on her toes which ulcerated.
She continued to have weekly chemotherapy sessions.
The wound around the ankle bone reopened and measured 3.5 cm x 3 cm. A swab reported heavy growth of Staph Aureus. The wound was debrided and the cavity packed with STIMULAN beads mixed with antibiotic and then dressed.
The dressing was changed weekly with further STIMULAN beads added after 1 month, followed by an additional top up at 13 weeks.
The patient requested their podiatry appointments to be fortnightly rather than weekly. Due to the patient’s ongoing cancer treatment, she continued to have her bloods checked every 2 weeks.
After 7 months, the wound had healed and the patient did not report having any issues or discomfort with it although she was experiencing side effects from her chemotherapy. She was very pleased with the outcome.
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