European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

A chronic ulcer of the foot is a frequent condition, with prevalence in the population over 60 years of age. The incidence of ulcers is rising as a result of the ageing population and increased risk factors for atherosclerotic occlusion such as smoking, obesity and diabetes.
Ulcers can be defined as ‘break in the continuity of the covering epithelium either skin or mucous membrane due to molecular death’. Prospective study of 100 cases of chronic foot ulcers admitted at Tirunelveli medical college Hospital, Tirunelveli, during the period March 2011 to March 2012, with regular dressing, debridement, treating the underlying systemic disease, skin grafting and amputation were done. In a study group of 100 cases, most of the patients with leg ulcers had an underlined systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, arterial occlusion secondary to atherosclerosis, leprosy and malignancy.