Foot and Ankle Wounds Q & A
Why do foot and ankle wounds develop?
While cuts, stepping on a nail, and other injuries are wounds, foot and ankle wounds more specifically refer to dangerous, non-healing wounds that develop for two reasons:
Diabetes
High blood sugar damages small nerves and blood vessels in your feet. Nerve damage may initially cause pain and tingling, but as the damage progresses, you lose feeling in your feet. As a result, you’re not aware when a wound develops.
Blood vessel damage prevents small wounds like cuts and abrasions from getting the oxygen and nutrients needed to heal. These non-healing wounds turn into ulcers that don’t heal without wound care. Instead they keep enlarging, leading to infections, and putting you at risk of amputation.
Vascular disease
Diseases affecting your leg arteries and veins can also cause non-healing ulcers that often develop around your ankles. Dr. Marzano can treat these ulcers, but you also need to see a vascular specialist to treat the underlying disease.
What symptoms do foot and ankle wounds cause?
The obvious symptom is the ulcer. Diabetic (and arterial) ulcers tend to have a punched-out appearance and as they enlarge, they may go deep into the underlying tissues. The wound may appear red, pink, or black, while the skin surrounding the ulcer may thicken.
By comparison, ulcers caused by vein disease tend to be shallow and expand around the edges.
Before a diabetic ulcer appears, you may notice:
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Cuts
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Blisters
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Abrasions
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Discolored skin (red, blue, white, or gray)
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Red streaks
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Swelling
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Increased warmth of coolness
You may also notice fluid drainage on your socks.
What type of treatment will I receive for foot and ankle wounds?
Dr. Marzano provides the most modern and comprehensive wound care available today. They use numerous advanced techniques to effectively promote healing.
A few examples of the wound treatments you may receive include:
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Wound debridement (cleaning the wound and removing infected or damaged tissues)
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Advanced wound dressings
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Skin substitute therapy
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Tissue grafting
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Tissue growth factor
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Antibiotic therapy
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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
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Negative pressure therapy (a special dressing combined with suction to remove fluids)
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Orthotics, bracing, or casting to take pressure off the wound
Intensive wound treatments promote healing, prevent infections, and preserve your foot and leg.
Call Dr. Marzano of Westchester Podiatric Medicine today or book an appointment online to get advanced care for foot and ankle wounds.