Did you know you are at risk of losing your leg every time you have a non-healing wound? Proper wound care is essential to enhance healing and prevent complications. Wounds may develop due to various issues including injuries or health conditions. If you have a wound that is taking some time to heal despite using at-home treatments, please seek medical intervention. The wound care specialist Tamarac experts offer innovative treatments to promote your wound healing and lower your risk of complications. Here we look at what wound care involves at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialist, PA.
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When is the ideal time to seek wound care?
The Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, PA team advises you to get a wound evaluation if your wound is taking longer to heal than usual. You also need to schedule your wound care appointment if your ulcer keeps becoming bigger instead of shrinking.
If you experience slow healing due to underlying conditions such as diabetes, or vein disorder, you must seek medical attention anytime you get a new wound. Your provider may recommend preventive care to prevent severe issues in the future.
Should you be worried about a foot ulcer?
A foot ulcer involves an open wound that takes some time healing or does not heal as it should. Foot ulcers can be severe, leading to amputations.
The non-healing ulcers occur as follows, from the least to most severe.
Grade 0
It is a pre-ulcerative lesion; the ulcer has not become an open wound.
Grade 1
This ulcer occurs when an open wound develops. The thickness varies in full or partial.
Grade 2
The grade 2 ulcer grows inwards towards a joint or a tendon.
Grade 3
The ulcer becomes deeper to cause bone inflammation or infection.
Grade 4
A grade 4 ulcer causes tissue death or gangrene in some parts of the wound or the surrounding tissue.
Grade 5
The ulcer develops when you have tissue death on the entire foot.
Usually, wound care is necessary for all grades of ulcers. Your provider recommends getting your wound care early as it means less comprehensive care and reduced risk of severity.
What does wound care involve?
Your provider at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, PA, tailors your treatment plan depending on your specific needs. Wound care involves the following.
Topical dressings
Less severe wounds may only require topical treatments such as creams and ointments. Your provider dresses your wound as frequently as needed.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
It is an effective technique for mild and severe ulcers. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves introducing pure oxygen to your wound in a pressurized chamber. It boosts oxygen levels in your wound, promoting healing.
Wound debridement
Debridement includes your provider removing dead tissue in your wound, usually for grade 4 and 5 ulcers. It improves the healing process and may combine with other treatments for excellent results. In addition to wound care, a healthy lifestyle plays a vital role in enhancing your wound healing.
