Medical versus Surgical Treatment for the Management of Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis

Abstract

Background and Aim: Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) can be difficult to treat and securing 
optimal clinical outcomes requires a multidisciplinary approach involving a wide variety of 
medical, surgical and other health care professionals, as well as the patient. The purpose of this 
study is to assess the cure rates after receiving medical or surgical treatment in patients with 
DFO. 
Material and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted involving 116 
patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis. The patients received surgical or medical treatment 
based on the principles described in the literature. To register the development of a complication, 
both groups of treatments were followed-up 1 year after the ulcer had healed. After healing, we 
performed the follow-up visits over 1 year: visit 1 (ulcer healed); visit 2 (1 month after ulcer 
healed); visit 3 (6 months after ulcer healed); and visit 4 (12 months after ulcer healed). During 
follow-up visits, we registered the complications that the patients suffered.