Revolutionizing Sausage Toe Treatment: The Power of Low-Pressure Bandaging in Diabetic Toe Osteomyelitis

Aim: Swollen and reddened toes, often called "sausage toes," are a common symptom of diabetic toe osteomyelitis. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the bandages for this condition, using a technique previously validated for lymphoedema treatment. This approach may prove to be an efficacious method for treating diabetic foot osteomyelitis that develops in the toes. Material and Method: Retrospective analysis was conducted at an outpatient clinic involving 94 patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis that affected their toes. Toe bandages were applied twice weekly using a specially designed 4 cm low-pressure elastic bandage. Clinical remission was defined as the absence of signs of infection in ten months. Results: The study included 60 patients who met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 59.45 ± 10.43 years, and 78.3% of them were male. Most lesions were located on the right first toe (31.7%). A total of 52 patients (86.7%) achieved healing, with a mean healing time of 13.37±7.75 weeks. Previous use of antibiotics for toe osteomyelitis before the study has been associated with a lower healing rate. Conclusion: A literature review reveals no evidence that toe bandages have been used to treat sausage toes. The findings of this study indicate that toe bandages may facilitate a rapid and high rate of healing in cases of sausage toes. This technique's simplicity, affordability, and high success rate make it a valuable addition to standard treatments for sausage toe. The study proposes that further prospective controlled studies be conducted to confirm the findings.