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[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]hroughout this week we have discussed the chronic wound epidemic affecting 6.7 million Americans annually, with more projected, the different types of non-healing wounds—infectious, vascular, radiation related and surgical—and diabetes as it relates to wound care, nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes, and an estimated 25 percent of those people will develop a diabetic foot ulcer.

With the chronic wound incidence only expected to rise throughout the next decade, you may be asking yourself what can be done? Healogics advocates an interdisciplinary approach to wound treatment and healing due to the complex nature of chronic wounds. The combined knowledge of all health care disciplines, from surgery to primary care, is vital for effective chronic wound care management. Every day, Healogics strives to provide only the best treatments for its patients. Though there are a number of wound treatment options available today, below are a few of the select treatment options Healogics offers.

Debridement

Since dead tissue can trap bacteria which may lead to infections, wounds can heal faster once the dead tissue is removed. If foreign material is on the wound, it may need to be removed as well. Wounds that have dead tissue, foreign material, pus or an infection take longer to heal because new tissue cannot grow. Debridement is the process of removing dead tissue from wounds. The tissue may be removed through sharp, autolytic, enzymatic or mechanical debridement. Removing dead tissue on a regular basis will help to keep the wound clean and will help your wound grow new tissue.

Total Contact Cast (TCC)

A total contact cast is a type of cast that is often used in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). A TCC is used to distribute weight evenly throughout the sole of the foot and is designed in such a way that it will match the exact contour of the foot from heel to toe. When the cast conforms to the leg and foot, it alleviates the pressure and reduces the presence of edema in the afflicted leg. When pressure is relieved, the ulcers on the foot can begin to heal. Total Contact Casting is the gold standard treatment for off-loading non-infected diabetic foot ulcers. These casts also help to protect the foot and offer support during the beginning phases of Charcot fracture dislocations.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)

Since Negative Pressure Wound Therapy was introduced to the U.S. nearly 20 years ago, the system has evolved dramatically. Over the past two decades, NPWT it has become a prominent technology in the wound care industry. With physician recommendation, NPWT has been used for the treatment and care of pressure injuries, diabetic ulcers, skin grafts, orthopedic trauma and chronic wounds. Negative pressure wound therapy uses a vacuum to create negative pressure inside a wound to remove excess fluid and infectious material while promoting tissue formation, reducing the time to complete healing.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment Chamber

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used to assist wound healing for more than 40 years. The therapy takes place inside a transparent acrylic chamber in which a patient breathes 100 percent oxygen at pressure greater than normal atmospheric pressure. These treatments help to improve oxygen delivery to all tissues in the body, reduce swelling, fight infection, build new blood vessels, and ultimately produce healthy tissue. The oxygen and improved vascularity facilitates entry of leukocytes, antibodies and antibiotics to the infected area. HBOT aids in the fight against bacteria and stimulates the release of substances that encourage healing, growth factors and stem cells. HBOT is used to treat more than a dozen medical conditions including diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injuries to tissue and bone, bone infections, necrotizing infections, compromised skin grafts and skin flaps, some types of vascular insufficiency and ischemia.

At Healogics Wound Care Centers®, an initial appointment would consist of a full assessment to determine the cause of the wound, the appropriate classification and size of the wound, the patient’s overall health, and the patient’s ability to fulfill the needed therapies. Based on the outcome of the evaluation, a customized treatment plan is developed to optimize the therapies best suited to address the patient’s needs. These specialized wound care therapies can aid in wound closure, new tissue growth, wound tissue regeneration and much more. With Healogics, those suffering from chronic non-healing wounds will finally be able to find the relief they have been seeking.

 

For more information visit Healogics

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