Effect of Transcutaneous Application of Carbon Dioxide on Wound Healing, Wound Recurrence Rate and Diabetic Polyneuropathy in Patients with Neuropathic, Ischemic and Neuroischemic Diabetes-Related Foot Ulcers

(1) Background: Diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFUs) are a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), with a five-year mortality rate of around 40%. Our study aimed to explore the effects of transcutaneous application of carbon dioxide (CO₂ therapy) on DFU healing and recurrence rate, as well as diabetic polyneuropathy. (2) Methods: Adults with at least one chronic DFU were invited to undergo 20 50-min-long CO₂ therapies within 4 weeks. After the completion of the last CO₂ therapy, the effect of the therapies on wound healing and diabetic polyneuropathy was assessed, and 1 year later, we evaluated the incidence rate of DFU recurrence. (3) Results: Thirty-five subjects with DM and forty DFUs (ischemic: 15, neuropathic: 8, neuroischemic: 17) participated in our trial. After 4 weeks, 67.5% of all DFUs healed, whereas the reduction of the surface area of the unhealed wounds (74.0% ± 22.3%) was statistically significant. The restoration of protective sensations was also statistically significant. All unhealed wounds received standard care and healed within 2 additional weeks. The recurrence rate after 1 year was 17.5%. None of the patients required antibiotic treatment, hospitalization, or amputation. (4) Conclusion: CO₂ therapy is a promising therapeutic intervention for treating DFUs and improving diabetic polyneuropathy.