The effects of drug abuse on the lower limb - an overview

摘要

Intravenous drug misuse is widespread in most British cities and many of the abusers in the case studies discussed are young adults. The case studies reported in this review often detail that the presenting patient was 'otherwise healthy'. For this reason it is important, particularly when assessing a younger person, that the podiatrist can recognise the early warning signs which may be one or all of the following: ischaemia, venous insufficiency, pain, marked neuropathy and ulceration, all of which would be atypical in that age group. A mismatch with the stereotypical picture of the 'drug addict' is no longer a viable basis for eliminating drug abuse as a possibility of lower limb pathology.