Dr. Horowitz's own words about his experiences using the Circulator Boot system are as follows:
"Twelve
years ago, I opened the Diabetic Foot/Wound Center to try to lower
diabetic complications and the amputation rates in the lower extremity.
We were entering patients into the hospital with infections and ulcers.
Our amputation rate while lower than the national average was still
high.
Ten years ago, I investigated and started to use the
Circulator Boot, which I found to be FDA approved with twenty years of
patient treatment results. The Circulator Boot treats circulation
problems ranging from micro dysfunction, (arterial and venous shunting)
small and large arterial vessel disease and venous pathology. The
Circulator Boot controls infections due to the secondary function that
includes an enclosed bag system of electrolyte and antibiotic solutions
pumped into the wounds.
The
Diabetic Foot/Wound Center sees approximately 25 - 30 patients a day,
of which 15 - 20 are diabetic ulcer patients. The noninvasive nature of
this pumping modality is controlled by the heart. The patient's heart
rate controls the number of times the pump goes into action, creating a
push of the normal blood supply into the diseased area. We have used
this on vessels that are stenotic and conditions that range from small
necrotic ulcers to large gangrenous ulcers and gangrenous parts of the
foot.
After ten
years of Circulator Boot therapy, surgical and chemical debridements
and the use of pressure relief devices, we have not entered a patient
into the hospital to amputate a leg or to treat an infectious process
in the lower extremity. Normally we would enter 1 or 2 patients a week
into the hospital due to infection or circulatory pathology. We have
not had to use bypass surgery and on the contrary, we have actually
opened up arteries that were still closed after bypass surgery was
previously performed. We have had the experience of patients
leaving the hospital a day or two before an amputation was to be
performed and started Circulatory Boot therapy. These patient's wounds
have closed with no major amputation and they are now walking.
The
use of the Circulator Boot has changed our treatment methods for the
care of the diabetic patient with complications in the lower extremity.
It has been a great aid to increasing circulation to those patients
that do not have ulcers at this time, but due to circulatory
dysfunctions tissue breakdown may occur with non-healing consequences.
There are patients who have one leg amputated and are worried about
losing the other leg, especially where there is a reduction of adequate
arterial peripheral circulation.
Where bypass surgery has not been the answer or cannot
be performed this pump has been dramatic in allowing these patients to
reduce their pains, increase their circulation and has even aided in
the control of some neuropathy type of problems reducing swelling in
the legs and feet."
We are pleased to profile Dr. Earl "Boots"Horowitz, DPM from the Jacksonville (FL) Foot Health Center as our Partner in Therapy in this issue of the Newsletter.