What is wound care?
Wound care is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the treatment of soft tissue and skin wounds that are complex, slow, or nonhealing. Dr. Burkett and the team at Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions specializes in the treatment of:
- Diabetic ulcers
- Venous leg ulcers
- Chronic venous ulcers
- Surgical wound complications
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) wounds
- Ulcers
- Vein problems
Using specialized treatment plans, the team at Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions helps prevent and treat complex wounds that could lead to severe complications.
What are potential complications for wounds that won’t heal?
If you have a wound that’s not healing or is infected, wound care is necessary to avoid complications such as:
- Tissue loss
- Severe or chronic pain
- Loss of function or mobility
- Amputation
- Sepsis (infection in the blood)
- Cellulitis (infection in surrounding tissues)
- Osteomyelitis (infection in the underlying bone)
Early treatment of complicated wounds can help you avoid these potential problems and get you back to better health.
Do I need wound care?
If your wound is slow to heal, doesn’t heal at all, or is infected, you may need wound care.
You may be at high risk for complex, nonhealing, or slow-healing wounds if you:
- Smoke
- Are obese
- Have poor nutrition
- Have poor circulation
- Abuse alcohol or drugs
- Have decreased mobility
- Are bedridden or wheelchair ridden
- Have a suppressed immune system
If you have health conditions such as diabetes, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or poor circulation, you’re at higher risk of having complex wounds.
What does wound care entail?
As part of your initial consultation, Dr. Burkett at Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions takes a complete health history and assesses your wound.
She takes measurements and detailed notes about your wound and may order diagnostic studies, like wound cultures.
Dr. Burkett then customizes your treatment plan for you and your type of wound. Treatment plans may include:
- Oral or injected antibiotics
- Topical medications
- Specialized dressings
- Nutrition counseling
- Removal of dead tissue
- Compression therapy
- Skin grafts
Dr. Burkett and the experienced wound care team provide you with at-home care instructions as well.
For a consultation regarding your complex, nonhealing, or slow-healing wound, call Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions or book an appointment online today.
