Diabetes is a growing health epidemic in the United States. According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 23.6 million people in the US have diabetes. This number is predicted to rise to an alarming 30.3 million people by as early as 2030. People with diabetes often have other health problems, such as heart disease and high blood pressure. However, diabetic foot ulcers are a very serious complication of diabetes that is not discussed often. Untreated diabetic foot ulcers can lead to serious infections and possible amputation. Podiatrists are seeing more and more patients who are unknowingly suffering from diabetic foot ulcers.

Poor circulation and decreased sensation to pain can cause diabetic patients to overlook small cuts, blisters or ingrown toenails, which then become infected and escalate into an open wound, or a diabetic foot ulcer.

Deep foot ulcers present other problems because they tend to expose tendons and bones. For some patients, the wounds progress deep into the tissue and severe bacterial infection takes over, and for nearly 82,000 people each year, the result of this scenario has been an amputation.

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetic foot ulcers will affect 2.4 million diabetics and are the leading cause of morbidity and hospitalization among patients with diabetes. Up to 68 percent of patients who undergo one or more lower extremity amputations have a mortality rate of five years.

Advances in technology have helped to salvage some limbs on patients whose chronic, non-healing wounds may have led to an amputation in the past. The GRAFTJACKET® Regenerative Tissue Matrix is a product used to help diabetic foot ulcer patients.

GRAFTJACKET® Regenerative Tissue Matrix is a minimally invasive treatment option offered by Wright Medical Technology for diabetic foot ulcers. It is intended to be placed in chronic skin wounds in the feet of diabetic patients. Made from donated human skin, GRAFTJACKET® Matrix is a three-dimensional scaffold that the body can use to build on. After implantation, the body’s natural repair process revascularizes and repopulates the GRAFTJACKET® Matrix with cells and allows the body to convert the GRAFTJACKET® Matrix into living tissue, or skin. The GRAFTJACKET® Matrix is processed to allow the body to accept the matrix and minimize the rejection response, enabling the body to repair itself.

The most important aspect of GRAFTJACKET® Matrix is an intact, three-dimensional matrix to build on. Think of it as the steel scaffolding of a new building. The shape, the strength, the look all begins and depends on the internal structure of the building. The three-dimensional structure provides a means for the body to rebuild the area of missing tissue. When it is implanted in an open wound, it provides the body an opportunity to rebuild the area of missing tissue. In most cases, this treatment, along with standard wound care such as offloading and dressing changes, results in full wound repair after only one procedure (1).

Retrospective clinical data demonstrate that treatment which includes the GRAFTJACKET® Matrix allows the body to repair the wounds with between an 85 percent and 91 percent success rate with one application (1,2). Those are impressive results.

Podiatrist Chad E. Webster, has this to say about GRAFTJACKET®:

Many of my patients often tell me the thought of having their limb amputated is a very traumatic experience for them and their families. Once they learn their limb can be salvaged and their quality of life will improve, they are overjoyed and refer to the GRAFTJACKET® as a “miracle.” I believe the GRAFTJACKET® Matrix should be used as an option of every podiatrist for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

I always encourage my diabetic patients to take extra care of their feet. Some advice I give my patients:

• Inspect your feet and toes daily for changes in cuts, bruises, sores or changes to your toenails.
• Wash feet twice daily (morning and evening), using mild soap and lukewarm water. Dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.
• It’s okay to put lotion on dry areas of your feet, just not between your toes.
• Ask your doctor to show you how to care for your toenails. Always soak your feet in lukewarm water to soften toenails before trimming them.
• Cut your toenails straight across as curved nails are more likely to become ingrown.
• Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level.

There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.  Only a physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your unique circumstances.  Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks and possible outcomes.

The GRAFTJACKET®Regenerative Tissue Matrix is distributed by Arlington, Tenn.-based Wright Medical Technology.  For more information visit www.wmt.com.

Chad E. Webster, D.P.M. - Contributor, Chad E. Webster, D.P.M., received his Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, in Chicago, Ill. Dr. Webster is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. He and the physicians at Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists in Memphis have a special interest in chronic foot wounds and wound closure. They have established The JK Diabetic Foot Center to reach out to diabetics on prevention, education and treatment of all diabetic related foot problems - learn more at  www.midsouthfootandankle.com.

(1) Winters CL, et al.  A Multicenter Study Involving the Use of a Human Acellular Dermal Reconstructive Tissue Matrix for the Treatment of Lower Extremity Wounds.  Adv Skin Wound Care, 21(8) pp 375-81, Aug 2008.

(2) Brigido, S. A.: The use of an acellular dermal regenerative tissue matrix in the treatment of lower extremity wounds: a prospective 16-week pilot study. Int Wound J, 3(3): 181-7, 2006.