RESULTS: All of the patients had diabetic foot infections involving only the forefoot region with the presence of either palpable PTA or biphasic Doppler signal. Although the majority of the cases had deranged blood parameters, soft tissue and bone healing were achieved at variable times. Four had good outcomes as they were able to ambulate. One case was complicated with chronic wound dehiscence and another one had Pirogoff stump infection and required transtibial amputation.
CONCLUSION: With strict selection criteria, Pirogoff amputation may provide a good functional outcome with a lesser degree of complications compared to major amputation.
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 40 patients with chronic knee OA who received GNB, 20 of whom underwent treatment with the USG technique and the other 20 with the ALG technique. Pain, stiffness, and functional limitation scores were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Questionnaire (WOMAC) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) at baseline and post-treatment day one, three weeks, and six weeks.
RESULTS: Both groups reported a significant reduction in WOMAC and NRS-11 scores as per their feedback on day one, three weeks, and six weeks post-treatment. Greater reductions in WOMAC and NRS-11 scores were reported by patients who received GNB via USG than by ALG technique, the difference achieving statistical significance at six weeks after treatment (p =0.026).
CONCLUSIONS: GNB administration using USG and ALG techniques are both effective in significantly reducing pain, stiffness, and functional limitation in patients suffering from chronic knee OA. Among the two techniques, USG appears to be more effective. Nevertheless, GNB guided by ALG continues to be a viable treatment modality, especially in healthcare settings with limited to no USG facilities.