Healing a wound or ulceration can be a frustrating and challenging experience for patients, their families and even the providers on the wound care team.

A comprehensive approach to healing is recommended and often incorporates a podiatrist, vascular surgeon, primary care physician, infectious disease specialist and dietician.  The podiatrists at Valley Foot Care, Inc. are Board Certified in wound care and have extensive experience in limb salvage.

Having a wound and treating a wound means a co-partnership between you and your providers. You may find yourself worried about what you can do to help your wound heal.  Every tip and action increases the chance of a wound healing and altogether can make a big difference in the outcome between limb preservation and amputation.  You may find yourself asking what can I do to help my wound heal?

10 Things You Can Do To Help Your Wound Heal

1. Control your glucose and know your A1c. High glucose levels are known to interfere with wound healing.
2. Avoid or quit tobacco usage all together. Tobacco use causes poor circulation which deprives a wound from oxygen.
3. Find ways to minimize pressure. Your foot specialist may use a combination of special surgical shoes, canes, crutches, walkers or boots to increase the chance of healing faster.
4. Keep daily activities to an absolute minimum. Give your body a better chance to heal and recover.
5. Know your wound care product and how to apply it properly. It is good to know how the wound should be treated prior to and after application of wound product. Also, just how much of the product should be used and how should it be applied.  More product is not always best and application of wound care products should be very meticulous and according to the instructions provided by your wound care specialist.
6. Monitor your wound or ulceration for local signs of infection and call your provider immediately if the wound should change in characteristics such as a change in odor, drainage or surrounding redness and swelling.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family for support whether it is applying wound care products or picking up extra tasks that ultimately will lead to a greater chance of healing.
8. Keep your appointments with all your providers and bring a complete medication list and list of allergies to every visit.
9. Understand your nutrition status and discuss with your wound specialist elements of nutrition and whether a consultation to a nutritionist/dietician is needed.
10. Medical and/or surgical intervention, as well as hyperbaric oxygen, or sometimes consultation with a wound care clinic, may be required to facilitate wound or ulcer healing.

Additionally, CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF: 

• The ulcer or wound gets larger or deeper.
• You think your wound is getting infected or if the infection is spreading.
• The infection is not better with antibiotics.
• The skin on your foot or leg is red, hot or swollen.
• You notice foul odor and/or drainage coming from your wound.
• You have a fever, shaking chills, nausea or vomiting.
• You have a red line going up your leg.

Never delay seeing your provider, avoid self-treatment and keep your follow up appointments.

The information contained herein is not intended for purposes of self-treatment.  All patients with wounds are recommended to seek help from a qualified and Board-Certified Wound Specialist and Provider.

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.onyourfeetaz.com and go to our PATIENT EDUCATION CENTER to read articles about the following topics and treatment options: Achilles Tendinitis, Athlete’s Foot, Bunions, Corns and Calluses, Diabetes and Neuropathy, Diabetes and Your Feet, Flat Foot, Fungal Nails, Hammer Toes, Heel Pain, Ingrown Nails, Morton’s Neuroma, Orthotics and Plantar Warts.