If you develop a leg wound or foot ulcer and it becomes infected or experiences gangrene, advanced wound management can provide relief. At North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists, Joshua Epstein, DPM, AACFAS, FACPM, and Sarina Epstein, DPM, AACFAS, use advanced wound management to treat various types of wounds, including diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, and arterial ulcers. To make an appointment in Gainesville or Lake City, Florida, call the nearest office today.
What is advanced wound management?
Advanced wound management is a podiatric specialty that treats leg and foot ulcers that are irritated, infected, or at risk of becoming so. Specifically, it uses advanced treatment methods, like alginate dressings and antimicrobial dressings, to encourage your body’s natural healing process while reducing the risk of complications.
Who can benefit from advanced wound management?
North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists uses advanced wound management to treat leg and foot ulcers caused by:
- Diabetes
- Venous insufficiency
- Kidney failure
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Tumors
- Infections
- Inflammatory diseases
You might also benefit from advanced wound management if you use a wheelchair or spend a majority of your time lying down and develop pressure ulcers on your heels, ankles, or legs.
What types of ulcers does advanced wound management treat?
North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists uses advanced wound management to treat various types of ulcers, including:
Venous stasis ulcers
Venous stasis ulcers typically develop on the lower part of your leg, just above the ankle. They’re red or pink and surrounded by yellow fibrous tissue. Anyone can develop a venous stasis ulcer, but they’re especially common in people with blood clots, varicose veins, and leg swelling (lymphedema).
Diabetic ulcers
Diabetic ulcers usually form on the weight-bearing areas of the feet, like the heels. They’re black, grey, or red and can be quite painful. You can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing a diabetic ulcer by maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Arterial ulcers
Arterial ulcers form on your heels or between your toes. They’re yellow, black, or grey and occur due to poor circulation. This type of wound is especially painful at night.
What does advanced wound management involve?
At North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists, advanced wound management begins with an exam, a discussion of your symptoms, and a review of your health history. Your provider also orders diagnostic imaging to determine if there’s an infection.
After determining the type and severity of your wound, your provider develops a custom care plan. Depending on the type and location of the wound, they might recommend:
- Alginate dressings
- Composite dressings
- Foam dressings
- Hydrocolloids
- Hydrogels
- Transparent dressings
- Wound debridement
- Wound cleaning
- Oral or topical antibiotics
The goal of treatment is to reduce the risk of infection, relieve pain, and speed up your body’s healing process.
To learn more about the benefits of advanced wound management, make an appointment at North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists by calling the nearest office today.