Why You Need Thorough Treatment From Podiatrists Experienced in Foot Wound Care
Whether you’ve suffered a minor foot wound like a scrape or cut, or have a more complicated ulcer that developed due to complications with diabetes, varicose veins, or high blood pressure, ensure your health with a thorough examination and care plan. Our Vancouver podiatrists can help you understand the basics of foot wound care, what treatment options are available, and how to implement vital lifestyle changes to prevent future issues. In addition to their work with Clover Podiatry, Dr. Tek Fish and Dr. Jeffery Linscheid run the Lower Extremity Limb Salvage Program at PeaceHealth Southwest Hospital and serve as the only two on-call podiatrists for the facility.
Types of Foot Wounds and Ulcers
It’s not uncommon to experience a sudden and acute foot injury. These include:
- Puncture wounds
- Cuts, scrapes, and scratches from stepping on something sharp or otherwise injuring your foot or ankle
- Sores
- Sunburns and scalds
- Blisters from ill-fitting shoes or medical conditions
Temporary and chronic medical conditions can also cause slow-healing open sores or lesions on your toes or feet called ulcers. Three types we frequently treat in our Vancouver clinic include:
- Arterial, often the result of high blood pressure or poor circulation.
- Diabetic, which many people develop because of peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes.
- Venous, a frequent problem for people who have varicose veins, a history of blood clots, or are pregnant.
Risks of Untreated Foot Wounds
No matter how minor a cut or sore might seem at first, don’t hesitate to tend to it right away, either with home remedies or professional medical attention. Even a blister, depending on its cause, can become a greater problem if not treated properly. If you have a larger puncture wound or cut with excessive bleeding, seek immediate medical attention.
If you don’t practice proper wound care, you run the risk of infection or worse, gangrene, a condition when tissue death occurs as a result of stopped blood flow to the area. Untreated foot ulcers, especially those caused by diabetic neuropathy, pose a real threat of becoming gangrenous—and the only solution at that point is amputation.
Home Treatments for Minor Foot Wounds
Minor cuts and scrapes can be treated at home with proper wound care. Here’s what we recommend:
- Wash your hands before touching the wound.
- Clean the area with cool tap or saline water and mild soap.
- Dry your feet thoroughly to prevent infection.
- Apply antibiotic ointment.
- Cover the wound with a clean dressing or bandage, and change the dressings frequently.
- Keep pressure off the wound.
- Don’t pick scabs—they provide protection as the wound heals.
- Don’t “pop” blisters—this impedes the natural healing process.
Also, keep a close eye on any changes in or around the area so you can take quick action if it shows signs of infection. Schedule an appointment with Clover Podiatry right away if you notice symptoms such as:
- Warmth around the area
- Redness and swelling
- Foul odor
- Discharge
- Pain
- Fever
Treating Foot Foot Ulcers and Severe Wounds
With arterial, diabetic, or venous foot ulcers, or more severe injuries resulting in open wounds, call us immediately. Clover Podatry offers the most comprehensive lower extremity wound care treatment in the area, in addition to traditional wound care.
After a complete diagnostic exam, we’ll recommend various treatment options as part of a wound care regimen, such as:
- Oral or topical antibiotics. We may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics to prevent or treat infections and promote wound healing
- Medical-grade bandages. We use specialized medical-grade bandages and dressings to keep the wound covered, protected, and free from bacteria and germs.
- Pain medication. If necessary, we may provide pain medication to help manage discomfort and improve the patient's comfort during the wound healing process.
- Crutches or other devices. Our podiatrists may recommend the use of crutches, walking boots, or other devices to help the patient keep pressure off the affected area and prevent further injury.
- Wound debridement. We may perform wound debridement, a process that removes dead, damaged, or infected tissue from the wound to promote healing and prevent complications.
- Skin substitutes. We may utilize acellular dermal matrices, bioengineered skin equivalents, or amniotic membrane grafts to help facilitate wound healing and tissue regeneration.
- Biologic dressings. Growth factors, cellular and/or tissue-based products, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are examples of biologic dressings that can be incorporated into the wound care plan to promote tissue repair and wound closure.
- Shockwave therapy. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a noninvasive modality that can stimulate the body's natural healing processes.
- Ultramist therapy. We may employ therapeutic ultrasound, low-frequency ultrasound debridement, or ultrasonic wound cleansing to help remove devitalized tissue and prepare the wound bed for optimal healing.
- Surgical intervention. In some cases, our podiatrists may need to perform skin grafting, flap reconstruction, or tendon/bone procedures to address more complex or chronic wound conditions.
Stay Diligent With Preventative Foot Care
It’s important to take care of your feet, especially if you’re particularly active or have a chronic health condition that requires diligent maintenance, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, nerve damage, or kidney disease. Foot ulcers can be spotted and treated more readily if you’re dedicated to daily inspections.
Here are tips for a self-exam of your feet after bathing. If necessary, ask someone to assist you. Under good lighting, examine the bottom, sides, and top of each foot for:
- Dry, cracked skin
- Open sores, wounds, or blisters
- Cuts or scrapes
- Redness or warmth
- Bumps under the skin
- Calluses or corns
- Ingrown toenails
If something doesn’t look or feel right, trust the skilled medical team at Clover Podiatry to help. Our whole-person approach recognizes your unique needs and our experienced foot doctors will provide you with the treatment solutions you need for better health.