Treating Blistered and Callused Diabetic Feet in Barbados: A Limb Preservation Case
A clinical case report from the 2025 issue of *Limb Preservation Journal* (Vol 6 No 1, Wounds Canada) presents the successful management of a diabetic foot featuring both callus and blistering. The protocol integrates callus debridement, patient education, offloading, and innovative local antibiotic therapy to prevent ulceration and preserve limb function.
Key Highlights:
- Clinical Presentation: A diabetic patient in Barbados developed a painful blister within a callused area of the foot—an early warning sign of potential ulceration and infection.
- Intervention Strategy:
- Expert debridement of both callus and blister to remove vulnerable tissue and reduce bacterial burden.
- Implementation of offloading footwear and reinforced patient education on daily foot inspection.
- Critical use of antibiotic-loaded **Stimulan®** calcium sulfate beads placed into debrided tissue to target local contamination—an approach backed by clinical evidence in diabetic foot osteomyelitis :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
- Outcome: The blister healed fully without progression to ulceration or infection. Limb integrity and function were preserved.
- Community Context: Demonstrates that effective limb preservation is achievable in resource-limited outpatient clinics through proactive, multidisciplinary care and use of localized antibiotic strategies.
This case underscores the value of early debridement, patient education, offloading, and strategic use of localized antibiotic therapy (such as Stimulan® beads) in preventing diabetic foot ulcers and possible amputations.
Read the full case report in *Limb Preservation Journal* via Wounds Canada (PDF available): Download the PDF.
Keywords:
diabetic foot callus,
blister,
limb preservation,
debridement,
Stimulan® beads