Our Services / Wound Care

What is wound care?

Wound care is a branch of podiatry that diagnoses, treats, and prevents diabetic ulcers and other slow-healing injuries. 

Almost everyone experiences an open wound at some point. Usually, these injuries aren’t severe and respond to at-home treatments like antibiotic ointments and bandages. Even so, if you have a condition like diabetes that affects your circulation, you’re more likely to experience complications. 

Wound care combines regular checkups, patient education, and various therapeutics to relieve pain, prevent infection, and encourage your body’s healing process.

What conditions can benefit from wound care?

At Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Center, Dr. Prakash uses wound care to treat various conditions, including:

• Pressure ulcers
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Non-healing surgical wounds
• Puncture wounds
• Venous ulcers

You might also benefit from wound care if you step down on a sharp object and suffer a puncture wound.

What are types of wound care?

At Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Clinic, Dr. Prakash offers various wound care services, including:

Debridement

Wound debridement is an outpatient procedure that uses special tools to remove dead or dying tissue. Removing this tissue prevents harmful bacteria from causing infection and encourages your body’s healing process.

Off-loading

Off-loading is a type of wound care that takes the pressure off of an open wound or ulcer with a boot or a cast. By relieving pressure on your lower extremities, it’s possible to promote healing and encourage blood flow.

Skin substitute grafts

Skin substitute grafts are special bandages that help augment and promote closure and healing of the wound. Dr. Prakash offers several types of skin substitutes, including EpiFix®, PuraPly,® Apligraf®, and Dermagraft®. 

Surgical management 

Sometimes, open wounds don’t respond to skin substitute grafts. If you have a large wound that needs more specialized treatment, Dr. Prakash might recommend surgery. During surgery, he carefully cleans your wound with an antiseptic solution and stitches it closed with sutures.

What type of wound care might benefit me?

To determine the type of wound care that will most benefit you, Dr. Prakash reviews your medical history, asks about the severity of your symptoms, and examines the wound. He might also take a biopsy and send it to a laboratory to see if you have an infection.

After gathering the necessary information, Dr. Prakash develops a treatment plan that aligns with your budget and needs.

If you’re interested in learning more about wound care, make an appointment at Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Clinic by calling the office or booking online today.