Treatment, rehabilitation and assessment of the quality of life of patients operated for complications of diabetic foot syndrome

Introduction. One of the complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) is diabetic foot syndrome (DFS), which develops in 6–11 % of patients and requires surgical treatment in 40–70 % of them. Various types of amputations and large necrectomies lead to a redistribution of the load on the foot with the development of violations of its support function and deformity. As a result, the soil arises for the development of purulent-necrotic processes, the quality of life of patients decreases. Rehabilitation is an important part of postoperative care. It should be carried out both in the hospital and at the outpatient stage of treatment and is an important measure in preventing complications and improving the quality of life of patients. Aim. To analyze the results of treatment of patients with purulent-necrotic complications (PNC) of DFS, for whom postoperative rehabilitation measures were included in the treatment complex. Materials and methods. The results of treatment of 128 patients operated on for PNC of DFS were studied. The examination and treatment were carried out according to the standards. At the outpatient stage, 45 patients underwent complex rehabilitation using a set of physical exercises in combination with physiotherapy methods of treatment. Determination of the degree of foot deformity was performed using plantography and X-ray of the foot bones. The dynamics of life quality indicators were studied using the Manchester-Oxford foot questionnaire (MOXFQ). Results and discussion. The obtained results showed that in conditions of rehabilitation treatment, after 6 months the number of complications in the main group was less than in the comparison group by 12.6 %, and after a year – by 25 %. The study of the quality of life using the MOXFQ questionnaire 6 months after rehabilitation showed a significant difference in indicators (p < 0.05) between the comparison and the main groups on pain and social interaction scales and the MOXFQ index in general, which indicates a positive effect of the used rehabilitation treatment on the quality life of patients. At the same time, after a year, the reliability of the difference in indicators on all scales and the MOXFQ-index of the main and comparison groups was not revealed, despite the best absolute figures. The result obtained indicates the need for repeated courses of rehabilitation measures in the complex of treatment. Conclusions. Treatment of patients with complications of DFS should be organ-preserving and complex. Treatment should include a set of rehabilitation measures aimed at restoring the motor function and support ability of the foot to prevent its deformation. The use of rehabilitation treatment can reduce the number of complications in the postoperative period and improve the quality of life of patients.