Diabetic Foot Care
When should you seek specialized care for a wound?
Many common wounds such as minor cuts and scrapes can be treated at home, while more intense wounds may require specialized care for proper healing. Complex and/or non healing wounds often include those caused or made worse by surgical incisions, direct trauma, an underlying disease, or infections.
Dr. Adam Angeles is a board certified plastic surgeon and wound specialist in Central Oregon with over 25 years of experience. His team at the Angeles Wound Care Institute ensures a personalized and comprehensive care plan to all new and returning patients. Get individualized treatment for diabetic wounds, ostomy wounds, radiation wounds, and more to protect against infection and promote healing.
Common Wound Complications
Infection
Wounds can become infected when bacteria or pathogens enter the wound and begin to multiply inside of the skin. Wound infections are especially common with cat and dog bites, deep punctures, injuries by dirty objects, or major surgeries or trauma.
Dehiscence
Occurs when previously approximated wound edges become partially or fully separated again, typically around a week after surgery when the healing is still in the early stages.
Chronic Non-Healing
Chronic, non healing wounds are those that haven’t healed after the expected timeframe despite treatment. This could be a period anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks depending on the extent and cause of the wound.
Common Types of Wounds that Require Specialized Care
Diabetic ulcers are a common complication of diabetes and caused by a combination of poor blood circulation and nerve damage from high blood sugar levels. Diabetic ulcers can cause serious wounds that take longer to heal and are more prone to infection. These wounds can develop anywhere on the body but typically are found on the feet. Similar to common signs of infection, infected diabetic wounds are red, swollen, warm, have drainage or an unusual odor and require professional medical attention.
Ostomy surgery creates an opening (stoma) in the abdomen to divert bodily waste. Since it is a medical procedure involving a surgical incision, healing from an ostomy wound can be a delicate procedure that necessitates clear protocols with a wound specialist. Ostomy wounds should be regularly monitored for the common signs of infections. More specifically, these wounds should be assessed by a medical professional if the patient notices skin irritation, recurrent leaks under the pouch system or skin barrier, or excessive bleeding of the stoma.
Though it is a common cancer treatment, radiation therapy can cause radiation wounds as a side effect. Also known as radiation dermatitis, these wounds typically look red, are irritated, blistering, and can manifest as ulcers. Seeking medical attention for radiation wounds can help patients improve their quality of life while undergoing treatment. Get in touch with us if your radiation wound is itchy, uncomfortable, dry, swollen, or drastically changing your skin color.
There are several other types of wounds that may be more likely to necessitate treatment from a wound specialist:
- Wounds on the face
- Wounds deep enough to see the bone or need stitches
- Animal or human bites
- Punctures or injuries from rusty objects
- If bleeding cannot be stopped after applying pressure for 10 minutes, call 911
Contact or Refer Your Patients to AWCI
Dr. Adam Angeles and his specialized team in Bend, Oregon are professionally trained and will work with you and your entire healthcare team to provide the individualized wound care.
We treat patients from throughout the state of Oregon, including John Day, Burns, Klamath Falls, Newport, Lakeview, La Grande, and Pendleton.
If you or your patient is suffering from a wound, contact our team to help you find the care you need.
