Wound Care & Limb Salvage
Wound Care is the practice of helping the body repair damaged tissue to avoid infection complication. Limb salvage refers to the physicians ability to save or salvage the lower extremity from major infection from an untreated wound, or a severe vascular condition. A physician trained in Wound Care and Limb Salvage works closely with vascular surgeons and primary care providers working to improve blood flow, clear infection, and save tissue in the lower extremity.
What is a Wound?
A wound is defined as: ” an injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken”
What can cause a Wound?
A wound can form from many possible situations, a few are as follows.
- A bump or scrape with activity
- Numbness due to Neuropathic changes in the lower extremity can cause one to not be aware that they have stepped on an object that has broken the skin, this therefore causes it to go unnoticed and untreated and become a more significant problem.
- Venous Insufficiency, which causes Venous Ulcers, is when there is a lack of blood supply to the major veins of the lower extremity.
Identifying a Wound and the need for care.
Identifying a wound, or a change in the tissue early on with the Ankle, Foot, or Leg is crucial. We spend so much time on our feet in life that it is important to be aware and identify changes and issues to avoid complications. A wound that is left untreated can become infected and can further spread into the bone. In the worst case surgical amputation may be required and is utilized to stop the infection from spreading further and damaging additional bone, and tissue of the lower extremity. These scenarios are prevalent in patients with Diabetes, and or Neuropathic issues such as numbness in the lower extremities. Wound Care is especially important in St Augustine given the large demographic that have complications with their lower extremities.
Treating Wounds.
There are many ways to treat and care for a wound these days. Options are centered around clearing bacteria, and infection from the area of concern. This creates optimal conditions for the body to heal itself. Some of the options available are.
- Skin Substitutes, and grafts
- Antimicrobial dressings
- Compression bandages to control leg swelling
- ExtraCorporeal Shockwave Therapy to improve blood flow to ailing area
- UltraMist Ultrasound Wound Therapy
- Debridement
- Antibiotics
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapies
- Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
- Collagen Dressings
- Vein and Vascular Procedures
Where to go for treatment of a Wound.
In treatment of a wound, it is very important to seek care with a provider that is certified in the care of wounds, and is especially crucial in the lower extremities. Make sure to check the credentials of your provider or Wound Care specialist. A “Certified Wound Specialist” from an accredited board will help diagnose, treat, and educate you on the journey to heal your wound. The goal is to get you back to feeling great and living a healthier life. If you are looking for a Wound Care specialist in the St Augustine area, Call Us Today @ 904-823-3301
