With a family history of diabetes, Joseph was not surprised when he was diagnosed with the disease in 1994. Nor was Joseph surprised when he began suffering from neuropathy in his extremities, a direct result of the decreased blood flow to his feet and hands caused by the diabetes. Joseph diligently managed his condition by checking his feet for cuts, monitoring his sugar levels and exercising regularly. However, despite his careful attention to his health, Joseph was surprised when he suffered serious consequences from his diabetes.
In Thanksgiving 2007, Joseph enjoyed what he thought would be a relatively uneventful holiday; but, his health took a serious turn the following day. The toenail on the big toe on his right foot had fallen off several days prior to the holiday, but the day after Thanksgiving, the toe turned black. Alarmed by the discoloration, Joseph went to the emergency room where he learned that his large right toe needed to be amputated immediately.
Although Joseph and his wife faced other health issues in the past, nothing to that point was more frightening to them than this experience. Even though he checked his feet five times a week, Joseph didn’t realize he was suffering from such a serious infection. After the surgery came more bad news. The surgeon informed Joseph and his wife that he may need a below-the-knee amputation. The couple was devastated to learn this news; however, after a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Niezgoda, they became more optimistic that an amputation would not be necessary.
Dr. Niezgoda examined Joseph’s wound and thought he could salvage the limb with a combination of hyperbaric oxygen treatments and a biological implant called GRAFTJACKET® Regenerative Tissue Matrix. Made from donated human skin, GRAFTJACKET® Matrix provides immediate coverage to the wound and helps the body to repair itself by providing a scaffold that allows for cell repopulation, revascularization, and eventual conversion to the patient’s own host tissue. After several weeks of living in a rehabilitation center and undergoing hyperbaric treatments, Joseph received his GRAFTJACKET® treatment. He was immediately amazed at how GRAFTJACKET® Matrix aided his healing process.
Dr. Niezgoda documented all of the stages of Joseph’s wound care with his digital camera. Prior to the application of the GRAFTJACKET® product, Joseph had a gaping hole in his right foot. He saw a significant improvement in the healing of his wound within one week of the application. Each subsequent week, Dr. Niezgoda documented the recovery. Every week there were enormous improvements. Within a month, Joseph’s wound had healed.
Joseph and his wife are grateful for Dr. Niezgoda’s intervention and care. Joseph says, “GRAFTJACKET® Matrix saved my leg and my life as I know it!”
Wright Medical’s GRAFTJACKET® Regenerative Tissue Matrix is intended to be placed in chronic skin wounds in the feet of diabetic patients. GRAFTJACKET is made from donated human skin, which undergoes a process that removes the epidermis and dermal cells. This process allows the body to accept the matrix and reduces the rejection response. The processing steps sufficiently preserve the human dermal tissue, including its native protein, collagen structure, blood vessel channels and essential biochemical composition, to allow cellular repopulation and revascularization through the body’s natural healing process. This means that the body can use GRAFTJACKET® Matrix as it repairs itself.
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.
Watch Video
Although Joseph and his wife faced other health issues in the past, nothing to that point was more frightening to them than this experience. Even though he checked his feet five times a week, Joseph didn’t realize he was suffering from such a serious infection. After the surgery came more bad news. The surgeon informed Joseph and his wife that he may need a below-the-knee amputation. The couple was devastated to learn this news; however, after a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Niezgoda, they became more optimistic that an amputation would not be necessary.
Dr. Niezgoda documented all of the stages of Joseph’s wound care with his digital camera. Prior to the application of the GRAFTJACKET® product, Joseph had a gaping hole in his right foot. He saw a significant improvement in the healing of his wound within one week of the application. Each subsequent week, Dr. Niezgoda documented the recovery. Every week there were enormous improvements. Within a month, Joseph’s wound had healed.
