Chronic Wound Care Options

Your course of wound care treatment depends on what type of sore (called wound or ulcer) you have and where it is located. During your first visit, our staff will evaluate you and review your medical history. You may also need special tests that give us information about circulation to the area around the open sore. This will then help to determine what course of treatment you will need.

The majority of our patients seen in our centers have diabetic foot ulcers.  Our teams are designed and specially trained around the needs of those patients. Depending on your wound care needs, specialists and consultants could include:

  • Podiatrist (foot doctor)
  • Vascular specialist (circulation doctor)
  • Infectious disease specialist (for infections)
  • Plastic/reconstructive surgeon (sometimes used to put a skin graft or flap to close the wound)
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy specialist
  • Diabetologist/endocrinologist (diabetes doctor)
  • Physical therapist
  • Diabetes educator nurse and dietician
  • Orthotists/pedorthists (technicians who make special splints, boots or other devices to help alleviate pressure on legs or feet)

While this is not a full list, you may receive treatment from other doctors and healthcare providers as well.

Wound Care Treatments

Since each patient’s condition is different, you may receive some or all of the wound care treatments below.   We may use specific treatments to assess and heal your wound, including:

  • Diagnostic tests, including blood work, x-rays, scans, and test of circulation
  • Antibiotics to control infection
  • Restoration of blood flow
  • Removal of dead or infected tissue, muscle or bone
  • Foot surgery, if indicated
  • Skin grafting to close the wound
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for certain conditions
  • Specialized dressings
  • Cast or boot to keep pressure off of the foot ulcer area

You will visit the clinic weekly or as ordered by your wound care doctor once a treatment plan has been prescribed.  You will have your wound measured and photographed.  Other treatments or x-rays will also be performed as needed until you are healed.  The doctor and nurses will teach you what to do to avoid getting another wound.

It is critical that you keep appointments and follow directions in order for your wounds to heal.   Contact us today to learn more about your chronic wound treatment options.