Comprehensive Wound Care
Expert care for arterial, venous, diabetic and pressure wounds — treating the circulation problem underneath.
Understanding Wounds
Chronic or non-healing wounds are sores that fail to progress through the normal stages of tissue repair within 30 days. In vascular practice, non-healing wounds of the lower extremities are most commonly caused by underlying circulatory disorders, including arterial disease, venous insufficiency, or diabetic neuropathy. Proper wound care requires a combination of targeted vascular treatment, specialized wound dressings, infection prevention, and strict offloading. Early evaluation by a specialized vascular team protects tissue, accelerates healing, and prevents severe complications such as deep tissue infection or limb loss.
Types of Vascular & Chronic Wounds
Identifying the underlying cause of a wound is essential for choosing the correct treatment strategy:
Arterial Ulcers
Caused by severely reduced arterial blood flow (Peripheral Arterial Disease). Typically located on the toes, feet, or outer ankles. They appear 'punched-out' with pale or dark base tissue and are often very painful, especially when legs are elevated.
Venous Stasis Ulcers
Caused by poor venous blood return and fluid pooling (Venous Insufficiency). Usually located above the inner ankle. They are shallow, irregular in shape, moist with drainage, and surrounded by discolored or thickened skin.
Diabetic Neuropathic Ulcers
Develop on pressure points of the foot (soles, heel, or under toes) in patients with diabetes. Nerve damage (neuropathy) reduces sensation, allowing unperceived minor injuries or friction to turn into deep sores.
Pressure Injury / Decubitus Ulcers
Form over bony prominences due to sustained pressure, friction, or shearing forces in patients with limited mobility.
Wound Characteristics Comparison
Each type of chronic wound has distinct physical characteristics and underlying management priorities:
| Wound Type | Primary Location | Visual Appearance | Key Treatment Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arterial Ulcer | Toes, heels, outer ankle | Deep, dry, 'punched-out' edges, pale or dark base. | Arterial revascularization (restore blood flow). |
| Venous Ulcer | Inner lower leg / ankle | Shallow, moist, irregular edges, discolored skin. | Compression therapy & leg elevation. |
| Diabetic Ulcer | Sole of foot, calloused areas | Deep, painless, rounded, surrounded by callus. | Offloading pressure & strict blood sugar control. |
| Pressure Ulcer | Heel, sacrum, bony hips | Variable depth, skin redness to open tissue loss. | Frequent position changes & pressure relief. |
Diagnostic Evaluation & Advanced Therapies
Comprehensive wound healing combines diagnostic assessment of blood flow with advanced wound interventions:
See ProceduresNon-Invasive Vascular Testing (ABI & TcPO2)
Arterial Doppler ultrasound, Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), and Transcutaneous Oxygen (TcPO2) measurements to confirm adequate blood supply for healing.
Surgical or Enzymatic Debridement
Removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue (slough or eschar) to create a clean, healthy wound bed.
Advanced Specialized Dressings
Using moist wound healing technology—such as hydrogels, alginates, collagen matrixes, or antimicrobial silver dressings—tailored to drainage levels.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (Wound VAC)
A specialized vacuum dressing that applies continuous sub-atmospheric pressure to draw out fluid, reduce swelling, and promote healthy granulation tissue formation.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) & Cellular Grafts
Advanced bioengineered skin grafts or hyperbaric oxygen used for stubborn, non-healing diabetic or ischemic wounds.
Daily Dressing Care & Prevention Guidelines
Proper daily hygiene, dressing maintenance, and protective habits accelerate recovery and prevent wound recurrence:
Follow Specific Dressing Change Instructions
Change dressings exactly as directed by your clinician using clean, washed hands and sterile techniques.
Keep Dressings Clean and Dry
Protect dressings from moisture during bathing. Never submerge a wound in water (no swimming or soaking in tubs).
Offload Pressure on Feet and Heels
Wear prescribed diabetic shoes, specialized boots, or custom orthotics to prevent pressure over the wound.
Inspect Feet and Legs Daily
Examine your feet and legs daily under good light for new red spots, blisters, cuts, or calluses.
Optimize Nutrition and Blood Sugar
Maintain adequate protein intake, stay hydrated, and manage blood sugar strictly (HbA1c targets) to support tissue repair.
Red Flag Symptoms (Contact Your Wound Care / Vascular Team Immediately)
Infection or rapidly worsening tissue damage requires prompt clinical intervention. Call your physician or wound center immediately if you notice:
- Spreading redness, warmth, or swelling around the wound edges (cellulitis).
- Foul-smelling drainage, thick yellow/green pus, or sudden increase in fluid output.
- Fever, chills, body aches, or confusion (signs of systemic infection or sepsis).
- New dark, black, or dry tissue appearing in or around the wound bed (gangrene/necrosis).
- Sudden onset of severe, throbbing pain or loss of feeling in the foot or toes.
Procedures we perform for Wounds
Take the first step toward healthier circulation
Our vascular specialists will evaluate your condition, explain every option clearly, and build a plan that fits your life.