Highlights from the Diabetic Limb Salvage & Wound Healing Foundation Conference (April 2025)
An open-access editorial in the *International Wound Journal* shares top abstracts from the joint MedStar Georgetown and Wound Healing Foundation conference held April 10–12, 2025, in Washington, DC. The focus: cutting-edge efforts in diabetic limb salvage and chronic wound management, honoring the late Dr. Gregory Schultz.
Key Highlights:
- DNA Methylation as Biomarkers: Analysis of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patient blood samples identified specific methylation patterns in MORN1 and NCOR2 that may predict ulcer recurrence and healing outcomes.
- Psychosocial Factors in Limb Reconstruction: Lower extremity tissue transfer patients with prior calcanectomy and psychological distress exhibited notably reduced post-operative function—highlighting the importance of mental health and surgical history in recovery.
- Innovative Wound Dressings: A nitric oxide–generating dressing showed promise in improving healing in DFUs, particularly when stratified by infection status and wound duration.
- Functional Gait Post-Amputation: Studies comparing gait symmetry after limb salvage versus below-knee amputation revealed differences relevant to planning post-op rehabilitation.
This thematic compilation reflects a robust emphasis on biomarker discovery, psychosocial determinants, novel wound care technologies, and functional outcomes—important trends in advancing diabetic limb salvage.
Based on Parnell & Steinberg, “Abstracts from a joint meeting between MedStar Georgetown Diabetic Limb Salvage and the Wound Healing Foundation conference,” *International Wound Journal* 22(6):e70681 (June 2025).
Keywords: diabetic limb salvage, DNA methylation, nitric oxide dressing, functional gait, psychosocial factors