ulcer treatment

What happens when you have an ulcer? What are the treatments?

1. Debridement to remove dead tissue and callouses. This helps to start healing.
2. Evaluation of the wound bed and describing the ulcer.
3. Evaluation of the circulation: a Doppler may be ordered.
4. Topical wound healing agents, dressings
5. Grafting with skin substitutes may be applied to close the wounds quickly
6. A deep abscess requires hospitalization and sometimes surgical debridement.

Working with your primary care physician is always included.

Debridements: periodic, enzymatic, mechanical, surgical

Wound Dressings: provide protection. They podify the wounds physiology and stimulate healing. Growth factors are released by some. Most try to inhibit substances that slow down healing.

Newer technologies include plasma gels made from your own blood and speed up healing. Negative pressure wound thereapy removes edema from the wound and bacteria. It also enhances the formation of new blood vessels and provide oxygen. It is often used for exposed tendon, bone and hardware.

Pressure Relief and off loading is essential to treatment. It prevents further damage to the tissue and helps with wound healing. Without sensation micro trauma from simply standing and walking or shoe pressure can cause skin breakdown or infection. The patient does not suspect a problem until it is severe.