Table of Contents
Wound Care services offered in Henderson, NV
Wound Care FAQs
What is wound care?
Wound care is a name for the specialized treatment of ulcers on your foot and ankle. Ulcers are open sores most likely to appear on the lower limbs. They’re red, inflamed wounds that often ooze fluid and can go down to the bone in some cases. Ulcers are resistant to healing, which is why they require specialized wound care.
Las Vegas Foot and Ankle Centers specializes in treating complex wounds. The podiatrists use advanced treatments to prevent infection from spreading and encourage healing. Their skill in wound care helps you avoid complications like gangrene, where ulcer infections travel up the leg and lead to tissue death.
Gangrene that doesn’t respond quickly to treatment can result in amputation. However, the Las Vegas Foot and Ankle Centers podiatrists have an excellent record in amputation prevention (limb salvage).
What ulcers require wound care?
The most common kinds of ulcers treated at Las Vegas Foot and Ankle Centers include:
Diabetic foot ulcers
When you have diabetes, sugar levels in your blood get too high. Over time, this damages your nerves and blood vessels. Poor blood flow limits healing in the lower limbs, so injuries stay open longer and are more likely to ulcerate. Nerve damage (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) can cause foot numbness, so you might not realize you have a cut or sore.
Venous stasis ulcers
Venous stasis ulcers can affect people with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which causes varicose veins. Poor blood flow in your legs and feet means the tissues surrounding the veins weaken and break down, leading to ulcer formation.
Arterial ulcers
Arterial ulcers affect people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD develops when sticky plaque formed from excess cholesterol builds up inside the arteries. The narrowed arteries restrict blood flow, limiting oxygen, healing cell, and nutrient delivery to the tissues. Deterioration and ulcer formation may follow.
What does wound care involve?
Wound care begins with cleaning and debridement (removal of dead and infected tissue). Las Vegas Foot and Ankle Centers uses specialized dressings, such as hydrogel, to keep non-draining wounds moist and alginate for bleeding or oozing wounds.
Your podiatrist may use collagen to support healing and fit you with orthotics (medical shoe inserts) and/or diabetic shoes to keep the pressure off ulcerated areas.
