Ozone Therapy and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Treatment of Difficult-to-Heal Wounds in Diabetic Foot Syndrome and Charcot Neuroarthropathy.

Diabetes, as one of the most common diseases of civilization, is a significant factor of mortality worldwide. Undiagnosed and improperly treated, it leads to the development of a number of complications, including diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) and Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN). Charcot neuroarthropathy is a complex and devastating disease characterized by the presence of neuropathy, progressive deformities, and joint destruction. Risk factors and epidemiological data emphasize the high prevalence of CN in the diabetic population, drawing attention to typical predisposing factors for the development of this disease. Serious complications, such as foot ulcers or amputations, show the scale of the negative impact of CN and DFS on the quality of life of patients. Background/

Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess the treatment of foot ulcers in patients with DFS and CN using ozone therapy with simultaneous negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

Methods

The study included 30 patients aged 39 to 87 years with DFS and 30 patients with CN. Ozone therapy and negative pressure wound therapy were used for the treatment of chronic wounds.

Results

The analysis of the results showed a significant reduction in the wound size in both study groups; in patients with DFS, a reduction from 5 cm3 to 0.40 cm3 observed after 3 weeks and to 0.002 cm3 after 6 weeks of therapy, while in patients with CN, a reduction from 8 cm3 to 1.50 cm3 was observed after 3 weeks and to 0.004 cm3 after 6 weeks of therapy. No statistically significant differences were observed in median wound sizes between the DFS and CN groups. Ozone therapy with a value of 70 μg/mL is an effective method in the treatment of chronic diseases of soft tissue and the skeletal system. In combination with NPWT after cleansing the wound of bone sequestrum, the process increased the density of capillaries by accelerating the synthesis of proteins and collagen and reduced bacterial colonization in the wound.

Conclusions

The use of ozone therapy procedures at 70 μg/mL with negative pressure therapy is effective in the prevention and treatment of infectious bone complications in diabetes, such as diabetic foot syndrome and Charcot neuroarthropathy.