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Advancing Care of the Diabetic Foot

Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance

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Research
 

SALSA and CLEAR's respective research units in Arizona and Chicago are amongst the largest of their kind in the world.  We have active research going on in many unique areas studying cutting-edge treatments for foot and ankle conditions. These include:


1. Healing chronic wounds

2. Infections of the foot and ankle

3. Prevention of diabetic foot complications

4. Treatment of nail disease (fungal and ingrown toenails)

5. Treatment of nerve damage and pain to the foot and ankle in persons with diabetes


If you are interested in potentially participating, feel free to contact SALSA - CLEAR's clinical research unit to see if you qualify and might benefit from projects in the program:


If you do not have access to the Southwest USA or the Chicagoland area, then we are more than happy to direct you to a clinical research unit in your part of the world. Our team actively participates with groups from all parts of the USA and more than 50 nations on 6 continents. 


SALSA’s Clinical Research Unit
University of Arizona College of Medicine

1501 N. Campbell Avenue

Tucson AZ 85724-5072

Sandy Perry
sperry@surgery.arizona.edu
520-626-1349


CLEAR's Clinical Research Unit
Scholl’s Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR)
at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
3333 Green Bay Road
North Chicago, IL 60064
CLEAR@rosalindfranklin.edu
847-578-8439

CLINICAL RESEARCH PARTICIPATION

The Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) is located at the
University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, Arizona. With more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and 30 funded research proposals, SALSA is amongst the most active groups of its kind in the world. The key areas of current interest include:


  1. BulletPathogenesis/Epidemiology of diabetic foot complications and the impact of these complications on minority populations


  1. BulletPrediction and prevention of diabetic foot wounds merging a variety of techniques including:

  2. •Reproducible gait laboratory parameters (plantar pressure, 3-D kinematics)

  3. •Activity monitoring using sophisticated accelerometer/pedometer technology

  4. •Personal infrared dermal thermometry / thermography

  5. •Merging these modalities with emerging telemedical applications


  1. BulletTreatment and management of diabetic foot infections


  1. BulletAssessment of Advanced Wound Care Devices/Dressings:

  2. •SALSA is an active participant in the assessment and development of wound healing systems which reduce demand on patients, caregivers, and healthcare groups while speeding healing and reducing rates of infection and amputation.


  1. BulletClassification of diabetic foot wounds:

  2. •The University of Texas Wound Classification System, developed and validated by members of SALSA, has formed a key model for the World Health Organization's International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot wound classification system.


  1. BulletClassification of overall foot risk and appropriate referral/clinic management


  1. BulletDevelopment of easily applicable pressure offloading techniques:

  2. •SALSA is the originator of the “Instant” total contact cast, a modified offloading technique which greatly simplifies the act of offloading and (more importantly) adherence to care.


  1. BulletClassification and assessment of outcomes of prophylactic diabetic foot surgery:

  2. •SALSA has developed the first Diabetic Foot Surgery Classification System and is actively involved in better quantifying indications for and definitions of success in this rapidly evolving area.