Case 45: Two Bad Legs Healed at Home Boot Center

At age 71, this man had poorly regulated type 2 diabetes: he had been prescribed oral hypoglycemic agents years ago, had lost several pounds, stopped the pills and continued to "watch his diet" without ever getting another blood glucose level. He never smoked. He also had a history of previous myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. He developed bilateral areas of superficial necrosis in his feet and ankles leading him to consult several physicians. Distal bypass surgery was offered but with a promise of a low percentage of success. He presented 8/31/87 in the office with rest pain of both feet. His arm/ankle index was 0.46 and 0.43 in the right and left legs respectively.

Ruborous Painful Feet with Multiple Areas of Breakdown on Presentation

He responded nicely to his boot therapy healing all of his lesions and escaping his pain. He tired of the 50 mile commute for his treatment and once his program became established sought care at a boot center closer to home. He received periodic booster therapy there also when his legs tightened up. He died suddenly at home in November, 1990.

Comments: This man was fortunate in having a boot center close to home where he could finish his initial program and receive his booster treatments. If booting is to help as many people as possible in an economical fashion, it will have to be available close at home and it should be begun while the patients are still ambulatory and able to attend outpatient clinics. Leaving our office, he obtained no follow-up pictures. He claimed to have improved skin color in addition to his healing.