What is Foot and Ankle Wound Care?
Podiatric wound care combines medical and surgical techniques to promote healing of ulcers, traumatic wounds, and post‑surgical wounds. Components include:
- Debridement: Removing dead or infected tissue.
- Advanced dressings: Moisture‑balancing and antimicrobial options.
- Offloading: Boots, casts, or orthotics to relieve pressure.
- Infection control: Topical or oral antibiotics when indicated.
- Vascular assessment: Ensuring adequate blood flow (ultrasound/ABI).
- Adjuncts: Negative pressure therapy, biologic grafts, or growth factors.
- Education: Nutrition, glucose control, and home care instructions.
What to expect during and after Wound Care?
- Regular clinic visits for examination and staged debridement
- Dressing changes at home or clinic per protocol
- Offloading instructions and activity modifications
- Monitoring of blood sugar and circulation in at‑risk patients
- Signs to report urgently: fever, spreading redness, odor, increasing drainage
- A multidisciplinary approach (podiatry, vascular, endocrinology) when needed
