Description
In this presentation, Suhail Yusuf outlines his experience and approach to managing diabetic foot complications, specifically focusing on diabetic ankle fractures. He introduces himself as a practitioner at Epsom and St Helier, where he operates a diabetic foot clinic. Yusuf emphasizes the importance of assessing diabetic patients for complications, as the management strategies differ significantly between those with and without complications.
He begins with a brief overview of patient risks, noting that diabetic patients have an approximately 12% risk of ankle fractures, with a notable portion suffering from complications, including reduced bone mineral density and increased susceptibility to infection. Yusuf stresses the necessity of an early and thorough assessment of patients, outlining risks like neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease that can impact treatment decisions.
As the discussion progresses, he presents four clinical cases to illustrate different scenarios of ankle fractures in diabetic patients. Each case involves discussions about the appropriate management strategies based on the patient's health status and fracture types. Yusuf shares insights on casting, fixation techniques, and the importance of multi-disciplinary care, particularly in complicated cases. He touches on surgical options, including primary arthrodesis, fixation choices (like locking plates), and managing post-operative care, particularly focusing on maintaining blood glucose levels and monitoring complications.
Through the presentation, he highlights the crucial nature of collaborative care with other medical colleagues in cases of significant complications. He also provides practical recommendations for post-operative monitoring and outline follow-up strategies to ensure patients recover successfully, underscoring the unpredictable outcomes associated with diabetic patients receiving surgical interventions.