Gangrene
Gangrene
Treatment of Diabetic Gangrene with Intravenous Ozone and Ozone Chambers
Our institute has been treating “diabetic foot” (diabetic gangrene) for about 35 years. We aim to prevent gangrene at the stage of antipathy, but some patients neglect their diet, resulting in high blood sugar levels over several years, which can lead to gangrene. Patients wake up one day to find blackened toes or black spots on their heels—this is the onset of gangrene.
Why does it happen?
Excess sugar in the body is converted to fat, filling the smallest vessels. This affects the legs, brain, kidneys, and liver. Firstly the legs suffer from fat blocks blood flow to tissues, leading to tissue hypoxia and then necrosis.
To treat the gangrene, tissues need oxygen this is the main goal. Solving it saves the leg; not solving it results in losing the leg (statistically, there are at least 300 leg amputations per year per million people). Ozone has the property of breaking down fat in the arteries—this is the treatment. We use intravenous ozone therapy, ozone bags for the legs, and TEN-pass (Herrmann—Germany). As a result, small arteries are cleared, and fresh, oxygen-rich blood flows into the tissues. To prevent recurrence, the procedure is done once a month.
We want to demonstrate three patients and show the speed of recovery through their examples.
Case Study A
Treatment of diabetic ulcers and gangrene with complex therapy and ozone therapy
Overview
A 58-year-old patient visited us in May 2007 for treatment with a diagnosis of gangrene of the left foot and toes (diabetic angiopathy). The patient had been receiving standard antibiotic treatment and wound sanitation, but there was no improvement.
Medical History
The patient has type 2 diabetes for the past 10 years and was on Glucophage 500 mg tablets three times a day for the past 10 years. An angiogram performed at the time revealed a complete blockage in the vessels of the left leg and the distal segment of the leg.
Complaints
The patient mainly complained of pain in the left foot and lacked sensation below the knee. There was also weakness, and her daily life was limited as she had to use a wheelchair to move. This led to depression, loss of appetite, and intoxication.
Physical Examination
The patient experienced severe pain upon any contact near the gangrene site, and there was a strong unpleasant odor from the gangrenous wound on the left leg. Gangrene started about 5 months before the first consultation at our institute, initially affecting the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th toes, sparing the big toe. An amputation surgery was performed to stop the spread of gangrene, but the surgical wound did not heal properly, and gangrene spread from the phalanges to the metatarsal area.
In consultation with surgeon Dr. Andreas Demetriou, it was decided not to amputate above the tarsal area due to the patient’s small physical stature and obesity. If an amputation was performed up to the knee joint, the stump would be small, making it difficult to fit a prosthesis. Moreover, the patient could have serious limitations in daily activities. Thus, the treatment regimen was planned to maximize the patient’s abilities and minimize tissue loss.
Preoperative Treatment
The patient received high-dose intravenous ozone therapy once a day, accompanied by direct surface application of ozone (ozone bags) at the gangrene site on the left foot and as a preventive treatment for small ulcers on the right leg.
The surgery was performed by senior surgeon Andreas Demetriou without complications. All gangrenous tissues and the surrounding affected area were meticulously removed, revealing healthy tissue. This gave the patient an excellent opportunity to walk again with prosthetic implants. After the surgery, the patient received intravenous ozone treatment.
In total, the patient received more than 40 sessions of high-dose ozone therapy pre-and postoperatively and excellent surgical intervention by Dr. Andreas Demetriou. This combination proved beneficial for the patient, allowing her to resume maximum physical and daily activities with the help of a prosthetic implant.
Results for Example A
Over the next four and a half months (18 weeks), all the wounds on the patient healed. She was recommended special orthopedic shoes. The patient was also advised to lose weight, as she was short with a body weight of over 100 kg and a height of 157 cm. Preventive ozone therapy every 6-8 months was also recommended to reduce cholesterol buildup in her blood vessels, thereby reducing the likelihood of vascular blockages. Today, the patient has resumed all daily activities and can walk a short distance of about 200 meters without any support.
Example B
Treatment of Diabetic Ulcer with Ozone Therapy
Overview
In July 2004, patient B, 62 years old, visited us for treatment with a diagnosis of a diabetic ulcer on the right metatarsal area under the big toe. The patient has had type 2 diabetes for the past 15 years and has been receiving insulin and Glucophage tablets during this time.
For the past 7 months, the patient had been undergoing standard medical treatment for gangrene with antibiotics and wound sanitation without any effect. During this time, no decision for amputation was made.
Complaints
The patient came to our institute about 5 years ago with primary complaints of pain in the right foot.
Physical Examination
A large ulcer was found on the metatarsal area of the foot with the formation of gangrene in the initial stages.
Treatment
High-dose IV ozone therapy (20 sessions) accompanied by ozone bags for surface wound healing.
Results for Example B
On the 22nd day of treatment, the ulcer healed, and scar formation was observed. On the 60th day of treatment, the patient began to walk and wear shoes and was working in the industrial department. For the past 5 years, the patient has been coming for preventive ozone therapy every 8 months.
Example C
Treatment of Trophic Ulcer in a Diabetic Patient with Ozone Therapy and Surgical Wound Sanitation
Overview
Patient C, a 72-year-old man, visited us for the treatment of a post-amputation trophic ulcer on the right toe. The trophic ulcer had not healed with conservative treatment for two years. The patient suffered from severe pain and could not stand on his feet, requiring crutches for movement, thus limiting his daily life.
Medical History
The patient has type 2 diabetes and was taking Glucophage 500 mg tablets three times a day with insulin. The patient suffered from gangrene of the big toe about 6 months ago, and surgical amputation was performed. However, the gangrenous wound did not heal completely.
Treatment
High-dose IV ozone therapy, accompanied by ozone bags for surface wound healing—25 sessions were conducted. The pain was completely relieved by the end of the therapy.
Results for Example C
Forty-five days after starting treatment, the gangrene/ulcer healed, and only a small scar remained. Sixty-five days after starting treatment, the ulcer fully closed, and the patient began walking without support and could normally wear shoes without discomfort. Today, the patient has only a keloid scar at the ulcer site.
Conclusion
Intravenous ozone breaks down fat in small arteries, allowing oxygen to reach affected tissues (also preventing ischemic strokes in diabetics, diabetic nephropathy, and fatty liver). It kills all infections (including antibiotic-resistant gangrene). Therefore, ozone is a universal savior for diabetic patients, significantly prolonging their lives.
Stay Healthy!