Wounds Care and Limb Preservation

What You Need To Know

Understanding chronic wounds, ulcers, and how timely care protects your limbs.

Wound Care and Amputation Prevention

Chronic, non-healing wounds and ulcers require expert care to prevent the development of gangrene and the risk of limb amputation. We recognize the importance of proper and timely wound care for any chronic wound or ulcer to avoid amputation or gangrene. Left untreated, chronic conditions such as diabetes and peripheral arterial disease increase your risk of infection and, ultimately, amputation.

Our podiatrists have training in the diagnosis and management of chronic, non-healing wounds, including diabetic, pressure, venous, and arterial or ischemic ulcerations. Diabetic ulcerations develop when high blood sugar damages the lining of your blood vessels. Pressure ulcerations develop from prolonged pressure on the skin, often from bed rest or improper footwear. Venous ulcerations form when damaged veins break through the skin, while arterial ulcerations develop due to poor blood flow.

Ulcers are openings in the skin that often develop from the outside in and can introduce bacteria and infection. If ulcers get through the skin, they can cause serious problems including infections of muscle, bone, or blood poisoning. It’s estimated that 25% of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer during their lifetime.

Our providers diagnose the cause of your ulcer after a thorough consultation and physical exam, asking about your medical history, chronic health conditions, lifestyle, and symptoms. If you regularly experience ulcers or slow-healing wounds, don’t hesitate to seek professional help so we can begin an appropriate treatment plan right away.

Treatment, Skin Grafts, and Prevention

When treating your ulcer, we first confirm and establish good blood flow, which brings oxygen and healing enzymes to regrow tissue and skin. Our podiatrists debride the wounds to remove damaged tissue so healthy tissue can grow, and topical medications are used to help prevent infection. Depending on the severity of your ulcer, we may also discuss skin grafting as an option.

A skin graft is a surgical procedure in which a piece of living tissue is removed from one part of the body and transferred to another. Skin grafts can help restore mobility, promote movement, and even save limbs. People with diabetes are prone to foot sores and ulcers that can be difficult to treat, and grafts can be a valuable tool in healing these wounds and preventing amputations. There are two main types: split-thickness grafts and full-thickness grafts.

Prevention is a key part of protecting your feet. Check your feet daily for any injuries, wash and dry them thoroughly, wear proper footwear that isn’t too tight, and trim your toenails straight across. Diabetics should inspect their feet daily, since neuropathy can cause a wound to go unnoticed and quickly become infected.

Education is a key component of your wound care. Your provider works with you to explain the underlying cause of your wound and steps you can take to prevent more wounds from forming. Many ulcers or foot wounds can be healed without surgery, and we will work with you to develop a treatment plan that manages your wounds for the long term.