In addition to the pain they cause, wounds are a prime entry point for bacteria and can develop into nasty infections. If you have an injury that requires expert wound care, the team at Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center can help. They clean and stitch acute injuries, provide specialized care for non-healing ulcers, and help you manage surgical wounds. For outstanding wound care services, call the practice's office in Shenandoah, Sugarland, or Humble, Texas, or book an appointment online today.
Wound care is the cleaning and treatment of wounds. The most common wounds involve damage to the skin and underlying tissues that arise from cuts, blows, and other injuries.
It's crucial to deal with wounds quickly. This involves cleaning the injury to prevent infection and keeping the wound clean using plasters or fresh bandages to help it heal. If you have a deep wound that needs stitches, the team at Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center can attend to this for you.
Puncture wounds, which you may get by stepping on a nail, present an increased risk of infection and tetanus. The small entry site and depth of the wound make it harder to clean and more accessible for bacteria to grow. You should also get a tetanus shot after a puncture wound.
Other types of wounds include ulcers (open, slow-healing wounds typically on the lower legs) and surgical wounds.
Ulcers are wounds where the underlying tissues become exposed, which makes them vulnerable to infection. They may be red, inflamed, smell unpleasant, and leak fluid or pus. Ulcers require expert wound care from the team at Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center.
Ulcers usually affect people with underlying health conditions that reduce circulation or patients who have been on bed rest for long periods. Those with diabetes are prone to ulcers on their feet and ankles due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (which causes loss of feeling in the feet) and poor circulation.
Wound care for ulcers involves the removal of diseased and infected tissues. Medicated dressings and healing preparations help to encourage repair and regeneration of the affected tissues, but this can be a long process.
If you undergo surgery, the team at Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center gives you clear instructions on how to care for your wound. This is likely to involve washing and keeping the wound clean while it heals.
Correct surgical wound care is vital to ensure that infection doesn't get into the wound, which could spread and cause significant complications. Good surgical wound care also helps you avoid reopening the stitches and encourages faster healing.
If you need help with an acute or surgical wound or have an ulcer, contact Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center for expert wound care. Call their nearest office or book an appointment online today.
