Foot and Ankle Wound Care

Open wounds on the feet and ankles can become very serious if not properly treated. Particularly when a wound fails to heal within several weeks, there is a significant chance of infection and/or an underlying condition such as diabetes, low blood circulation or neuropathy that is impeding the wound from closing properly. Your podiatrist, primary care physician, orthopaedist or diabetes specialist (endocrinologist) can thoroughly evaluate your condition and treat such issues as diabetic ulcers, venous or arterial leg ulcers, bed sores, bone infections, gangrene, skin tears, post-operative wound complications, failed skin grafts, and more. Management of a chronic foot or ankle wound may entail getting control of a systemic disease such as diabetes; debriding a wound and clearing it of infection; special wound dressings and medication; nutrition and pain management recommendations; edema management, bio-engineered tissue replacement, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, surgical interventions; and/or instructions on proper home wound care. If you have a chronic foot or ankle wound that doesn’t seem to close or heal properly over a period of weeks or months, seek medical assistance without further delay in order to avoid a potentially life-threatening infection or need for amputation.