Potentially beneficial treatments for foot ulcers
| Intervention | Mode of action | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| *Janssen H, Rooman R, Donecker P, et al. Topical ketanserin accelerates the wound healing process in decubitus, arterial and diabetic skin ulcers. Unpublished. | ||
| Total contact casting | A plaster cast which redistributes weight on the foot | One small RCT showed benefit60 |
| Growth factors (CT-102, RGDpm, rhPDGF) | Substances derived from human tissue which can stimulate growth | 5 RCTs found growth factors helped uninfected ulcers to heal faster.61–65 No UK marketing authorisation |
| Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) | Enhances ability to fight infection | G-CSF reduced infection and enhanced healing of severely infected diabetic foot ulcers in patients treated with antibiotics in one small RCT.66 Not currently licensed for this indication |
| 2% ketanserin ointment | Believed to improve local blood supply | Two RCTs suggested benefit.67* No UK marketing authorisation |
| Iamin gel | Applied immediately after debridement | One small RCT suggested possible benefits.68 No UK marketing authorisation |
| Debridement with cadexomer iodine | Might promote healing better than standard treatment | Evidence from one small study.69 |