Wound Care Specialist

What types of wound care do foot injuries require?

You’re most likely to incur a wound from an injury like a blow, cut, or puncture. Any skin damage of this type requires wound care to prevent infection. 

For a minor wound, you might just need to flush it with clean water to wash out any bacteria, and put a plaster or a dressing over the injury.

If you have a wound on your foot or ankle and you can’t stop the bleeding, it’s best to get emergency medical help. The wound might require stitches if it’s long or deep. Puncture wounds can sometimes be difficult to clean, making them more likely to develop an infection.

Puncture wounds — especially those in the feet — are also an ideal breeding ground for tetanus, so you might need to get a tetanus booster shot to protect yourself.

Do foot and leg ulcers require wound care?

Ulcers in the feet and ankles require wound care. The lower limbs are especially prone to venous ulcers, which can develop when you have poor circulation in your feet.

Tissues affected by circulatory disorders like chronic venous insufficiency start to weaken and break down. If you get a small break in the skin, it can soon turn into a large, deep sore.

Having a condition like diabetic peripheral neuropathy makes you more likely to develop ulcers, as it causes numbness that can make you unaware of minor cuts and other foot injuries.

Ulcers affect deep layers of tissue and may even go down to the bone. They’re frequently painful and prone to infection. They tend to be a chronic problem as they’re often treatment-resistant. Wound care for foot and leg ulcers requires specialist expertise, which Dr. Sana provides at Phoenician Foot & Ankle Specialists.

What type of wound care do foot and leg ulcers require?

Wound care for foot and leg ulcers begins with the removal of any dead tissue. This process is known as debridement, and it involves cutting away all the skin and flesh that isn’t completely healthy. 

Afterward, Dr. Sana cleans the wound thoroughly and applies specialized dressings to encourage healing.

You might have to go through this process several times before the wound starts to heal. If there’s an infection in the wound, you also need to take antibiotics. Severe infections and those that get into the bone may result in amputation, so expert wound care is vital if you have an ulcer.

If you develop ulcers or suffer any kind of foot or ankle damage, Dr. Sana can help. Call Phoenician Foot & Ankle Specialists or book an appointment online today.