Effectiveness of scalpel debridement for painful plantar calluses in older people: a randomized trial

Trials

Hylton B Menz¹  Julia Potter²  Anna Novak⁴  Chelsey L Nash⁴  Martin J Spink³  Adam Morrow⁴  Karl B Landorf¹ 

[1] Lower Extremity and Gait Studies Program, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia;Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, England;School of Podiatry, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia;Department of Podiatry, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia

关键词: Pain;    Mobility limitation;    Foot;    Callosities;    Aged;   

Others  :  1093289
DOI  :  10.1186/1745-6215-14-243

 received in 2013-02-04, accepted in 2013-07-23,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

Plantar calluses are a common cause of foot pain, which can have a detrimental impact on the mobility and independence of older people. Scalpel debridement is often the first treatment used for this condition. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of scalpel debridement of painful plantar calluses in older people.

Methods

This study was a parallel-group, participant- and assessor-blinded randomized trial. Eighty participants aged 65 years and older with painful forefoot plantar calluses were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups: either real or sham scalpel debridement. Participants were followed for six weeks after their initial intervention appointment. The primary outcomes measured were the difference between groups in pain (measured on a 100-mm visual analogue scale) immediately post-intervention, and at one, three and six weeks post-intervention.

Results

Both the real debridement and sham debridement groups experienced a reduction in pain when compared with baseline. Small, systematic between-group differences in pain scores were found at each time point (between 2 and 7 mm favoring real scalpel debridement); however, none of these were statistically significant and none reached a level that could be considered clinically worthwhile. Scalpel debridement caused no adverse events.

Conclusions

The benefits of real scalpel debridement for reducing pain associated with forefoot plantar calluses in older people are small and not statistically significant compared with sham scalpel debridement. When used alone, scalpel debridement has a limited effect in the short term, although it is relatively inexpensive and causes few complications. However, these findings do not preclude the possibility of cumulative benefits over a longer time period or additive effects when combined with other interventions.

Trial registration

Australian Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN012606000176561).

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Landorf et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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