Wound Care

Who might benefit from professional wound care?

Anyone with foot trauma or other open wounds can benefit from wound care, but it’s particularly helpful for people with diabetes. That’s particularly true if you have:

• Diabetic neuropathy
• Trouble managing your blood sugar
• A BMI of 25 or higher
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

About 15% of people with diabetes develop some type of foot-related complication. Wound care at Evolve Foot & Woundcare provides peace of mind.

When should I see a foot doctor for wound care?

Make an appointment at Evolve Foot & Woundcare if you have diabetes and notice a cut, scratch, or ulcer on your feet, heels, or toes. That’s particularly true if the wound occurs alongside other symptoms like skin discoloration, numbness, or hair loss in the area. 

Intervention can prevent the wound from growing and reduce the risk of infection and gangrene.

How does a podiatrist diagnose foot and ankle wounds?

Dr. Bingham reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when you first noticed the wound, if it's grown, and whether you’ve noticed signs of infection.

Then, she examines the wound and conducts several other tests, touching your feet, toes, and legs with different tools to check for numbness. Dr. Bingham takes a tissue sample (biopsy) if the wound looks infected and sends it to a nearby lab for analysis. 

What does wound care involve?

At Evolve Foot & Woundcare, Dr. Bingham offers full-service wound care. Depending on the size, cause,  and location of your wound, she might suggest:

• Cleaning the wound
• Draining fluid or pus from the wound
• Removing or cutting away dead and infected tissue (debridement)
• Applying special bandages or ointments to promote healing
• Prescribing oral or intravenous (IV) antibiotics
• Taking pressure off your foot with crutches or a wheelchair

Wound care aims to prevent the ulcer from growing, reduce the risk of infection, and prevent complications like amputation.

Is there any way to prevent foot and ankle wounds?

You can’t prevent foot and ankle wounds entirely, but you can take steps to reduce your risk. Dr. Bingham recommends inspecting your feet daily if you have diabetes, monitoring your blood sugar, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet. These activities increase blood flow to your feet, reducing your risk of complications.

Call Evolve Foot & Woundcare today to schedule a professional wound care consultation, or book your appointment online.