Tips of the trade #26. Treatment of amputation residual limb ulcers with a hydroactive dressing and continued weight bearing.

This paper discusses treatment methods for amputation residual limb (stump) ulcers and infected or failed-amputation wounds. Local wound care and abstinence from prosthetic limb use and weight bearing have been found effective in the treatment of decubitus ulcers, as has the use of occlusive hydroactive dressings such as DuoDERM (ConvaTec, Princeton, NJ). DuoDERM application and prosthetic socket modification have been found useful for the treatment of decubitus ulcers in ambulatory patients. The techniques of, and benefits obtained from, DuoDERM therapy are explored; we conclude that the relief of local wound pressure and shear forces obtained with this therapy generally enhances ambulation capacity.