| Patient Testimonial
Pamela, GRAFTJACKET® XPRESS Flowable Soft Tissue Scaffold Recipient
 Putting on her socks and shoes is a daily struggle for Pamela. Like millions of Americans, Pamela has diabetes and developed neuropathy, or nerve damage, which causes the loss of feeling in her feet. Her granddaughter, Erica, sometimes helps put on her socks and shoes. In late September 2004, Erica noticed something unusual and said, “Grandma, you have a big sore on your foot. Has the doctor seen it?” Since Pamela’s neuropathy prevents her from feeling open sores on her feet, she wasn’t aware of a sore and disregarded her granddaughter’s comment.
 That same day, Pamela was at her primary care doctor’s to give a blood sample. Her granddaughter came to pick her up and asked the nurse if she had seen the sore on her grandmother’s foot. The nurse took one look and said, “Oh, no…that’s an ulcer.” A serious complication of diabetes, if left untreated, foot ulcers (deep wounds), can lead to infection and may necessitate amputation. Sadly, 80,000 lower limb amputations occur each year in the diabetic population, 85% of which are preceded by foot ulcers.
The nurse immediately made Pamela an appointment to see Jason Rosenblum, a podiatrist at Hammond Clinic Specialty Center in Munster, Indiana. Dr. Rosenblum ordered an X-ray and bone scan of the ulcer to see if the infection had spread into the bone. Pamela also sought the advice of three other professionals. Upon initial review, each one strongly recommended amputation to ensure the infection did not spread to the rest of her body. When Pamela went back to Dr. Rosenblum, he let her know the X-ray and bone scan revealed the infection was in her bone and gave her two options. He could amputate, or, there was one technique he was willing to try that he believed could fix her foot. Pamela was desperate to avoid amputation and consented to try the new technique.
Pamela’s bone infection was cured after 4 weeks of antibiotic treatment, the Dr. Rosenblum performed a minimally invasive procedure that involved injecting GRAFTJACKET® Xpress Flowable Soft-Tissue Scaffold, into the open sore. The GRAFTJACKET® XPRESS Scaffold allowed for new skin growth on Pamela’s foot and within a few weeks the wound was healed.
 “I felt I was so close to having an amputation. But, in my particular experience, Dr. Rosenblum’s treatment really worked for me. I am so lucky to have avoided losing part of my foot. I hope it can help others facing the realities of a deep, foot ulcer wound.”
Today, Pamela is back to her normal routine and checks her feet regularly for any suspicious sores.
These results are specific to this individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level.
There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.
Only a physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your unique circumstances. Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks and possible outcomes.
All statistics related to diabetes and diabetes foot care are taken from published information provided by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), and National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC).
* indicates a required field
|
|
