Wound Care

What is wound care?

Wound care is a podiatry subspecialty that diagnoses and treats diabetic ulcers and other slow-healing wounds that form on the ankles, feet, and toes. It uses various treatments to reduce the risk of infection, encourage blood flow, and promote the body’s healing process.

Anyone can experience foot and toe ulcers, but they’re most common in people with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. 

When should I see a foot and ankle specialist for wound care?

Make an appointment with the Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists team if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Dry skin
• Cracked skin
• Skin discoloration
• Redness and swelling
• Rashes
• Itchy skin

As the wound grows, it might bleed or ooze pus. You might also notice the wound’s border changing color or developing a hard crust.

What does a wound care appointment involve?

Your Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists provider reviews your medical records and asks about your wound, including when you first noticed it and the symptoms you’re experiencing. Tell your provider if you have diabetes, heart disease, or another condition that affects blood flow to your feet and apprise them of any medications and supplements you take.

Your provider examines your wound, assessing its size, location, and color. They gently press on the surrounding skin to identify sensitive spots and collect a small tissue sample (biopsy) to check for infection. 

Last, your provider orders X-rays to see how far the wound extends beneath your skin and to check if the surrounding bone is infected.

How are diabetic ulcers and other slow-healing wounds treated?

The Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists team uses a conservative, minimally invasive approach to treat diabetic ulcers and slow-healing wounds. They could suggest:

• Topical wound care (for example, ointments to reduce infection and promote healing)
• Prescription antibiotics
• Compression garments to increase circulation
• Draining the wound
• Custom orthotics to take pressure off the wound
• Debridement (removing dead or damaged tissue)
• Elevating your foot to promote blood flow

If your wounds don’t begin healing or your symptoms worsen, the team might recommend reconstructive surgery with skin grafts. During a skin graft procedure, your provider removes healthy skin from another part of your body and stitches it over your foot or ankle wound. The graft triggers the growth of new, healthy skin tissue and promotes healing.

Call the nearest Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists office today to schedule wound care, or book your appointment online.