ulcers in paraplegic

[Pauline Ashford]

Hi – I would like to know if anyone has some suggestions and also some experience in treating ulcers
I am going to try and attach some photos of them

They are on both sides (medial and lateral) of the right foot/ankle of a 57 yo male paraplegic

They have been there for quite some time

He is a friend of mine and lives some distance (ie he is in Tasmania and I am in QLD) from me so I cant see them in person.

He is currently on antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric treatment but they have stopped the hyperbaric due to him getting a cold
He has struggled with ulcers and osteomyelitis in this area in the past and well as this current situation – I believe the osteomyelitis is under control at this point but he is on continuous antibiotic therapy.
He is a T3 paraplegic (since age of 21) so there are NO sensations to go by and he doesn’t have any systemic symptoms from them at this time
He has done well on Hep sulph and Silica in past but these have not touched it this time

Graphites helped a little with the sloughing but then failed to act further
I have been considering Lachesis

Blood supply to area is very poor, as he’s a para there is not any muscle movement to aid in circulation though I do get him to put it up higher than his heart so that gravity can have a chance at getting some venous and lymphatic drainage going and perhaps help the entry of fresh blood
He has had massive amount of trouble with a ward supervisor nurse at the hospital who took a dislike to him when he was delirious at one stage and also after he questioned her when she went to change his type of antibiotics (which was against his specialists instructions re the osteomyelitis and the several years it had taken to get it under control) and would not change antibiotics until his specialist was asked so she has listed him as a problem patient and she has made his life miserable every time he has to go into hospital (and also a couple of people that he knows of but both if the others have since died and he has no one to back up his claims –she has been telling other staff that he is a problem and also threatening to put him into restraints if she doesnt like anything he says or asks for - he is absolutely paranoid about being sent back to the hospital and angry about her treatment of him and how she can get away with treating him the way she does. I have known him for about 15 years and have always found him a happy go lucky person who has accepted his paralysis and tried to make the best of things – I understand that infection and delirium can affect personalities but a nurse should be able to let this go and her ongoing treatment of him is really affecting him esp as he has had several very extended hospital stays (months) because of the osteomyelitis and ulcers.
I have asked him if he wants me to organise an advocate for him (my Mother lives in Tasmania and would organise this) but at present he is worried that it would make things worse – I am going down there later this year so will follow this up while I am there but it is affecting his emotional state.
Anyway – please do any of you have any input to help me here?

Regards Pauline
Pauline Ashford

Maleny Homeopathy

Homeopathy, Dorn spinal and headache treatment,

Lymphatic drainage massage, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Reiki

130 Ansell Rd, Witta, QLD 4552

Ph 07.54944101

paulineashford@dodo.com.au

www.malenyhomeopathy.com

Hrs Mon 12-9pm, Tues & Thurs 9-5
Best time to get me on phone (rather than my answer machine) is within the ½ hour before clinic day start time

I do not have a secretary and do not answer the phone while I have a patient with me

Email is always the fastest way to get me

[Dr. Joe Rozencwajg, NMD]

Poor blood supply is the limitating factor for ulcer repair.....does he have dorsalis pedis and tibialis posterior pulses? does he have arterial occlusions higher up, like in the popliteal, femoral, iliac arteries or the aorta itself?

Yes, I realise you cannot personally check it, but that is part of standard examination so his GP or nurse could answer that.

It has relevance as the methods to restore blood flow would be different depending on the problem and the level. Having his legs elevated will increase venous drainage and lymphatic drainage but diminish arterial flow if it is compromised.

Locally, Manuka honey with 5-10% of Calendula tincture 1:1 or 1:2 has given me good results in some, but not all, cases.....if there is a good blood flow....

Joe.
Dr. J. Rozencwajg, NMD. "The greatest enemy of any science is a closed mind". www.naturamedica.webs.com

[Dr. Joe Rozencwajg, NMD]

Poor blood supply is the limitating factor for ulcer repair.....does he have dorsalis pedis and tibialis posterior pulses? does he have arterial occlusions higher up, like in the popliteal, femoral, iliac arteries or the aorta itself?
Yes, I realise you cannot personally check it, but that is part of standard examination so his GP or nurse could answer that.

It has relevance as the methods to restore blood flow would be different depending on the problem and the level. Having his legs elevated will increase venous drainage and lymphatic drainage but diminish arterial flow if it is compromised.

Locally, Manuka honey with 5-10% of Calendula tincture 1:1 or 1:2 has given me good results in some, but not all, cases.....if there is a good blood flow....

Joe.
Dr. J. Rozencwajg, NMD. "The greatest enemy of any science is a closed mind". www.naturamedica.webs.com