10.1177/1534734603257986 ARTICLELOWER EXTREMITY WOUNDS 0(0); YEARCHAUHAN ET ALPL NTAR ULCERS IN HANSEN’S DISEASE Management of Plantar Ulcers in Hansen’s Disease

Plantar ulcers occur in patientswithHansen’s disease not be-cause of the disease but because of its neuropathic effects on the skin over the feet. This enhances the risk of trauma to pa-tients ’ feet, leading to the development of ulcers. This short article reviews the current management of leprosy on the ba-sis of World Health Organization guidelines and the com-plexities of plantar ulceration in such patients. A guide to its management and prevention is also discussed. Key words: plantar ulcers, neuropathy, Hansen’s disease Hansen’s disease primarily affects the skin and thenerve tissues. The changes in skin that occurmay reverse after therapy, whereas the nerve damage pro-duced is more or less permanent. The nerve damage produces anesthesia, whichwith a want of proper care and treatment leads to the development of a plethora of complications, the most crippling and disabling of which is chronic plantar ulceration. The disease of lep-rosy is not itself directly responsible formost of the de-formities. It removes the sensation of pain and so al-lows patients to damage and deform themselves. Although satisfactory chemotherapeutic treatment modalities are available, amajority of the affected pop-ulation is still unaware of even the basic treatment and prevention strategies. Most of the complications are potentially reversible if due attention is paid to themat an early stage. A short review of the classification and management principles of plantar ulcers is presented in this article