Debridement is a term used to describe the process of removing dead, damaged, infected or unwanted tissue from the body. Podiatrists and foot health practitioners sometimes use the method for healing calluses, Achilles tendonitis, plantar warts (verrucas) and other conditions like fingernail and toenail fungus.
There are many debridement methods used to remove tissue from a wound or body ailment, including surgical, chemical, autolytic (self-digestion), enzymatic, and maggot therapy in which live, disinfected maggots eat only the necrotic (dead) tissue. Maggot therapy has been found to be particularly beneficial for helping heal diabetic foot ulcers as well as neuropathic foot ulcers. The Food and Drug Administration cleared maggot therapy for ulcer removal in 2004.
