A combination of compound phellodendron liquid and infrared irradiation in patients with diabetic foot

As a debilitating complication of diabetes mellitus, the incidence of diabetic foot ulcer is about 5.65 % and five-year mortality rates exceeding 50 %. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Compound Phellodendron Liquid (CP) combined with infrared irradiation on inflammatory markers and lower extremity vasculature in patients with diabetic foot. From March 2022 to August 2023, 84 diabetic foot patients (Wagner 2–3) were admitted in this single-center retrospective study. The control group received CP while the observation group got infrared irradiation and CP. Various parameters including inflammatory indexes, serum growth factors, wound area, vascular parameters, foot blood flow, and patient prognosis were measured and compared between the two groups. Compared to CP therapy alone, the combined treatment significantly reduced serum inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α; P < 0.001), increased angiogenesis factors (VEGF, bFGF, EGF; P < 0.001), accelerated wound healing (smaller wound area; P < 0.001), improved dorsalis pedis artery hemodynamics (increased diameter & flow, lower intima-media thickness; P < 0.001), and enhanced peripheral circulation (ankle-brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure (TcPO2), and toe-brachial index (TBI); P < 0.05). Critically, the observation group had significantly lower complication rates (4.8 % vs. 28.6 %; χ 2 = 8.883, P = 0.031) during the 1-year follow-up. Combined infrared irradiation with CP therapy performed positive effects on various physiological parameters. The anti-inflammatory action of CP complements the vasodilatory effects of infrared irradiation, potentially achieving synergistic healing. leading to reduced recurrence of infections and complication rates from 28.6 % to 4.8 % over one year.