I was first diagnosed with diabetes in 2008.
In August 2022, my wife noticed a mark on the sole of my right foot. This was later diagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer (an open wound on the skin that is slow to heal). The ulcer got bigger and became infected. This led to me having my big toe and part of my foot surgically removed in November 2022.
After surgery my wound was not showing signs of healing, so I was invited to take part in the Multiple Interventions of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment (MIDFUT) trial.
This is a research study comparing different treatments for diabetic foot ulcers and wounds which are not healing quickly. Patients who take part in the study are randomly allocated to receive one or more treatments. These treatments are currently used in the NHS, but their use varies between hospitals.
I decided to take part in the study as I thought ‘What is there to lose?’ and I was excited that I could potentially be given a treatment that I might not have normally received.
As well as the standard dressings and treatment, I also received Hydrosurgical Debridement (where a special machine uses a jet of water to remove dead skin) and Decellularised Dermis (where donated skin with the human cells removed is applied to the wound).
I will continue to see the research team at UHCW as part of my study follow-up until January 2024. I have regular photos taken of my foot and wound and complete some short questionnaires.
Since having the treatment as part of The MIDFUT Study, my wound has almost completely healed.
I am really pleased with the outcome of my treatment as part of the study and would recommend taking part in research to others.
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