WOUND CARE

Given your feet’ function and the fact we seldom regard them until something happens, they frequently get wounds.

Foot wounds can range from minor cuts and bruises to major blisters and punctures on your skin that require specialized care.

At Frederick Foot and Ankle, we have experience in the treatment and care of feet wounds of all kinds. From our vast experience, we know that even a seemingly small wound can easily become a major infection if not given the proper attention and care. At times, people may also dismiss a foot wound as minor when it is a symptom of a major underlying health complication.

Main types of feet wounds requiring urgent care

Ulcerated
wounds

Feet wounds that are ulcers manifest themselves in the form of open sores with the top skin layers injured, thus exposing deep tissues. Ulcers are prevalent among people with certain conditions, including diabetes, vascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, and neuropathy. They can be caused by poor circulation, long periods in bed, an injury that may break the skin, or pressure from tight shoes.

Feet ulcer symptoms include thickened tissue, inflammation, some odor or redness, and drainage. The wounds may be accompanied by pain, or they could be painless. Our diagnosis for feet ulcers includes taking down your medical history and wound examination through various imagining tests. These include X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans as may be appropriate.

The examination will determine our treatment and foot wound care plan. The unhealthy tissue is removed, and a range of wound care options are available depending on your individual case. These include:

  • Use of antibiotics if infections are present
  • Anti-clotting medications to prevent a clot
  • A range of surface wound care therapies
  • Compression garments
  • Use of prosthetics and orthotics, whichever proves useful in restoring your balance.

PUNCTURED
WOUNDS

These are wounds characterized by a small entry hall, unlike cuts that cause long tears. They can be caused by sharp objects like nails, splinters, and other sharp pointy objects. If not properly treated and cared for, they can cause infections and other complications. The depth and small entry holes mean debris and other foreign objects can embed under your skin, causing resent or future complications.

Treatment of puncture wounds depends on their severity which is determined by, among other things:

  • Depth of the wound
  • Cleanliness of the penetrating object
  • Size of the penetrating object
  • Whether you had shoes or socks on

A foot and ankle specialist will thoroughly clean the wound and ensure no debris is inside and disinfect it to remove all bacteria. Early treatment and care ensure any potentially severe complications are avoided.

When to seek specialized wound care

Even if you do not have any of these two injuries, find a podiatrist in case of any of the following;

  • Your wound is still bleeding 5-10 minutes after you applied pressure.
  • Your wound is deeper than an inch.
  • You have debris stuck in it.
  • Your wound was caused by a rusty or dirty object.
  • Your wound shows signs of infection.
  • If you are not sure whether you are up to date with your tetanus shot.
  • Your wound’s pain is excruciating.

Any wound on your feet can be devastating, causing immediate discomfort and potential future complications. At Frederick Foot & Ankle, our treatment and foot wound care services aim to promote pain relief, quick recovery, and healing for the wound.

Contact us today and let us help you resume your usual functionality.