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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NCJournal of orthopaedic case reports

Limb Salvage in Limb-Threatening Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Diabetic Foot: A Case Report.

  • Ghadia Mohammed Alsarori1
  • Seba Ahmed Bin Maadhah1
  • Rakan Mansor Alhareth1
  • Mohammed Sami Binobaidallah1
  • Abdulelah K Alqawlaq2
  • Hani Mohammed Badahdah1,3
  1. 1Podiatric Foot and Ankle Surgery Unit, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  2. 2General Medicine Practice Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  3. 3Podiatric Foot and Ankle Surgery Unit, International Medical Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection with high morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with diabetes mellitus. Early diagnosis is challenging because initial clinical signs may be subtle, yet timely intervention is critical to prevent limb loss and death. We report a 68-year-old male with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus and multiple comorbidities who presented with a 1-week history of rapidly progressive left foot pain and swelling extending to the mid-calf. Laboratory investigations revealed marked inflammation, and imaging indicated fascial involvement. The patient underwent multiple surgical debridements, broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, strict glycemic control, limb off-loading, tibial angioplasty to optimize perfusion, and advanced wound care including negative pressure wound therapy and reconstructive procedures. Progressive healing was achieved without major amputation. Limb salvage remains feasible in selected diabetic patients with limb-threatening NF when early recognition, aggressive surgical management, vascular optimization, metabolic control, and coordinated multidisciplinary care are implemented.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{alsarori2026limb,
  title = {{Limb Salvage in Limb-Threatening Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Diabetic Foot: A Case Report.}},
  author = {Ghadia Mohammed Alsarori and Seba Ahmed Bin Maadhah and Rakan Mansor Alhareth and Mohammed Sami Binobaidallah and Abdulelah K Alqawlaq and Hani Mohammed Badahdah},
  journal = {Journal of orthopaedic case reports},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i11.8475},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42997118},
  note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Limb Salvage in Limb-Threatening Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Diabetic Foot: A Case Report.
AU  - Ghadia Mohammed Alsarori
AU  - Seba Ahmed Bin Maadhah
AU  - Rakan Mansor Alhareth
AU  - Mohammed Sami Binobaidallah
AU  - Abdulelah K Alqawlaq
AU  - Hani Mohammed Badahdah
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/01
JO  - Journal of orthopaedic case reports
DO  - 10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i11.8475
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42997118
AB  - Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection with high morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with diabetes mellitus. Early diagnosis is challenging because initial clinical signs may be subtle, yet timely intervention is critical to prevent limb loss and death. We report a 68-year-old male with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus and multiple comorbidities who presented with a 1-week history of rapidly progressive left foot pain and swelling extending to the mid-calf. Laboratory investigations revealed marked inflammation, and imaging indicated fascial involvement. The patient underwent multiple surgical debridements, broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, strict glycemic control, limb off-loading, tibial angioplasty to optimize perfusion, and advanced wound care including negative pressure wound therapy and reconstructive procedures. Progressive healing was achieved without major amputation. Limb salvage remains feasible in selected diabetic patients with limb-threatening NF when early recognition, aggressive surgical management, vascular optimization, metabolic control, and coordinated multidisciplinary care are implemented.
SN  - 2250-0685
SN  - 2321-3817
ER  -