Diabetic foot ulcer is a complication caused by uncontrolled diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause permanent degenerative changes in the entire body, for example, Retinopathy, Nephropathy, and Neuropathy. Among these, diabetic foot ulcers are the most common. Diabetic foot ulcers are open, often infected wounds located on the bottom of the foot. If not treated in time, diabetic foot ulcers can even lead to the amputation of the entire limb.
Diabetic foot ulcers usually occur due to a combination of various factors such as uncontrolled diabetes, poor blood circulation, foot deformities, irritation/friction, and foot trauma. Patients who have had uncontrolled diabetes for a long time can develop neuropathy, i.e., lack of feeling due to nerve damage in the foot. This makes them unable to feel pain in the foot, and small wounds on the foot due to friction or trauma can go unnoticed over a long period of time. As time passes, without proper diabetic foot ulcer treatment, these wounds can get infected and develop into ulcers.
Which factors affect the cost of diabetic foot ulcer treatment in India?
- Choice of treatment city: The cost of diabetic foot ulcer treatment may vary depending on your choice of treatment city. The cost of treatment is slightly higher in metro cities as compared to non-metro cities.
- Type of treatment: The cost of ulcer management also depends on the kind of treatment being performed, along with the kind of surgical equipment/ graft required for the treatment. For reconstructive foot surgery, the patient may need a tendon graft, while a blood vessel graft is required for vascular reconstruction surgery.
- Severity of the condition: The severity of the condition also influences the cost of the treatment. For minor wounds, wound cleaning and dressing is sufficient, while for severe ulcers, reconstructive surgery is required.
- Insurance coverage: Most health insurance providers cover the cost of diabetic foot ulcers to some extent. If you have a diabetic foot ulcer, get in touch with your insurance provider to find out more about your insurance policy’s terms and whether it will cover your treatment.
- Surgeon’s fees: An experienced surgeon is more proficient in completely debriding the wound and removing all the infected tissue from the ulcerated region. This is important as it helps the patient heal faster.
- Hospitalization cost: The cost of hospitalization depends on the choice of the hospital ward, the duration of the hospital stay, etc. Depending on the type of treatment required, the patient’s hospital stay may range from a few hours to a few days.
- Cost of postoperative care and diabetes management: Since diabetes slows down the healing, complete recovery may take 8-12 weeks. During this period, the patient may need medicines for diabetes and pain management, along with antibiotics to prevent infection.
- Cost of diagnostic tests: Along with physical examination, the patient needs X-rays, MRI scans, and blood tests for a complete diagnosis. Depending on the severity, the patient may require other tests like ankle-brachial index and toe pressure, pulse-volume recording, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) scanning, bone scans, and angiography. The cost of diagnostic tests for diabetic foot ulcers is:
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X-ray
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Rs. 300 to Rs. 600
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MRI scans
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Rs. 600 to Rs. 1500
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Blood tests
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Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3000
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