Effect of Infrared Radiation on Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Diabetic foot ulcer is a worldwide health care problem affecting thousands of patients. If theseulcers left untreated, they can create severe complications. Objective: Evaluate the effect of infraredradiation on the healing of diabetic foot ulcer. Setting: The study was conducted at the outpatientclinics of vascular and diabetic foot of the Alexandria Main University Hospital. Subjects: Theycomprised a convenience sample of 50 patients with diabetic foot ulcer grade 1 and 2 (based onWagner diabetic foot ulcer grade classification system). Patients were classified into the study andcontrol groups (n=25 in each group). Tools: Two tools were used for data collection. Tool 1: Diabeticfoot ulcer patient s profile. Tool 2:Wound healing observation check list for patients with diabetic footulcers grade 1 and 2. Results: The results of the current study showed that there was a statisticallysignificant difference in healing ulcers (P 0.05) and mean healing time (P 0.05) between the twogroups. Conclusion: It was concluded that, infrared radiation therapy plus conventional dressing ondiabetic foot ulcers grade 1 and 2, accelerates the ulcer healing, improves granulation tissueformation and diminishes wound exudation and inflammation. Recommendations: Infrared radiationtherapy should be used in the diabetic outpatient clinics for patients with diabetic foot ulcers grade 1and 2.