Wound Care Specialist

What is wound care?

Wound care is a specialized treatment to keep non-healing wounds like stasis ulcers from getting infected and causing complications such as gangrene and necrosis. 

If you have an ulcer or another non-healing wound, University Vascular offers wound care services, including cleaning, topical medication application, and dressing changes. 

They also examine your wound for signs of infection or tissue damage. When necessary, they perform debridement to remove any dead or infected tissue. 

How do vascular health problems cause wounds?

Your blood delivers oxygen and essential nutrients throughout your body that are critical to the natural regenerative processes that help wounds heal. Vascular health problems like peripheral artery disease can prevent your blood from reaching your extremities. 

As a result, a minor injury like a blister or nick in your skin can grow and become worse instead of healing. Non-healing wounds increase your risk of infections like cellulitis and tissue death, such as gangrene or necrosis. 

When untreated, infection and tissue death can lead to amputation. 

When should I see a specialist for wound care?

You should make an appointment with the wound care specialists at University Vascular if you have a non-healing wound. 

If you have a vascular health issue such as peripheral artery disease or atherosclerosis, you should seek wound care treatments before your injury turns into an ulcer. 

People who have diabetes, kidney disease, and other health issues that can reduce their circulation should also seek wound care if they have an injury that won’t heal. 

Can I prevent wounds?

If you have a vascular health condition that increases your risk of non-healing wounds, you can certainly take steps to prevent minor injuries from worsening. The first step is to get professional treatment to manage and improve your health. 

You should carefully clean and dry your feet and ankles and keep your skin moisturized and healthy. Make sure to wear correctly fitting shoes to reduce your risk of ingrown toenails or blisters, which have an increased risk of turning into ulcers.

If you do get a minor injury, take steps to help it heal. You could talk to the vascular health specialists at University Vascular about:

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Wearing compression stockings
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Negative pressure therapy
• Growth factor therapy

Call University Vascular or make an appointment online today for expert wound care services.