Total Contact Cast Treatment – Care Tips for Diabetic Foot Ulcer

A Total Contact Cast (TCC) is one of the most effective ways to heal a diabetic foot ulcer on the sole, but it works best when the patient knows how to look after it. In this video, Elegance Diabetic Foot & Ulcer Clinic (EDFC), Surat shows Total Contact Cast treatment for a diabetic foot ulcer, under the guidance of Dr. Ashutosh Shah. Below are practical tips for living with a TCC.

How a TCC Helps an Ulcer Heal

An ulcer on the sole keeps reopening because the patient walks on it. The TCC spreads body weight across the whole foot and lower leg, so the ulcer is no longer under pressure. Because the patient cannot remove it, the wound stays protected all day and night.

Caring for Your Total Contact Cast

• Keep it dry: Cover the cast with a plastic bag or cast cover while bathing. A wet cast can soften and damage the skin.
• Limit walking: Walk only when needed and rest with the leg raised when sitting.
• Use the cast shoe: Always wear the cast shoe or boot given to you when walking.
• Do not put anything inside: Never push objects into the cast to scratch the skin.
• Keep every appointment: The cast is usually changed weekly so the wound can be checked and re-dressed.
• Control blood sugar: Good sugar control helps the ulcer heal faster.

When to Contact the Clinic Immediately

• Fever or feeling unwell
• A bad smell or discharge coming through the cast
• New pain, swelling or tightness in the leg
• The cast becomes loose, cracked, wet or very tight

Learn more about footwear and offloading, diabetic foot ulcers and home care and follow-up.