Heel ulcerations in the diabetic patient

Of 53 diabetic patients with hospital-acquired keel ulcers, 20 (38%) lost their ipsilateral leg-15 below the knee, 5 above the knee. Time to healing of the remaining 33 patients with heel ulcers was 31 to 301 (mean 142) days. Of the 33 patients, 12 (36%) had a recurrence of their heel ulcers. Dominant features among the patients were ipsilateral stroke, smoking, and inadequate circulation. Race, gender, and age were not statistically significant.