Wound Care
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MetroWest Podiatry
Brian Wascavage, DPM
Foot & Ankle Surgeon & Podiatrist located in Framingham, MA & Marlboro, MA
About 6.5 million Americans have wounds that don’t heal. Untreated chronic wounds can become infected, leading to severe pain and mobility issues while increasing your risk of amputation. At MetroWest Podiatry, talented podiatrist Brian Wascavage, DPM, uses his 25 years of extensive wound care experience to successfully heal chronic wounds so you can return to full activity quickly. Call the Framingham or Marlborough, Massachusetts, office or click on the online scheduling button.
Wound Care Q&A
What are non-healing wounds?
Non-healing wounds are open wounds that don’t heal within 4-12 weeks despite taking appropriate measures to encourage healing. The longer that wounds remain open, the more vulnerable they are to infection and tissue death.
A severe chronic wound can rapidly worsen, affecting both the immediate area and the tissue and the bone around it. Eventually, an untreated non-healing wound could require foot amputation.
What causes non-healing wounds?
The most common cause of wounds that don’t heal is diabetes. When you have diabetes, your high blood sugar levels can lead to nerve damage and blood vessel narrowing. Both can contribute to wounds that don’t heal.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy causes foot numbness, which prevents you from feeling wounds.
Blood vessel narrowing
Blood vessel narrowing, typically related to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), reduces the blood that reaches your feet and delays healing.
Diabetes is by far the most common cause of wounds that don’t heal. But, neuropathy, PAD, or a traumatic foot injury can cause non-healing wounds even without diabetes.
What is wound care?
Wound care is medical treatment for foot wounds that don’t heal. At MetroWest Podiatry, Dr. Wascavage cleans your wound carefully.
He may remove dead skin around your wound in a process called debridement. Necrotic tissue hampers your body's regenerative powers, stalling new skin growth, so debridement can help you recover faster.
Dr. Wascavage may treat your wound with topical medications. If you have an infected wound, you may need oral antibiotics.
Because moisture encourages healing, you'll normally wear a dressing over your wound as it heals. If you need to perform dressing changes at home, Dr. Wascavage demonstrates the process so you can do so safely and easily.
It's important to avoid pressure on your wound as it heals, so Dr. Wascavage may prescribe custom orthotics to shift your weight.
What are the signs that I need wound care?
You might not experience any pain when you have a chronic wound unless infection sets in. So, it's essential to check your feet every day, scanning for new cuts, blisters, or sores.
Foul foot odor and swelling are two other symptoms you may experience with a foot wound. Check your socks to see if there's any dried blood or other drainage, too.
Foot wounds are just one issue to watch for if you have diabetes. Bunions, hammertoe, ingrown toenails, plantar warts, and nail fungus are other foot problems that commonly affect diabetics. If you notice signs of any of these issues, call MetroWest Podiatry for help.
Dr. Wascavage uses the most powerful wound healing techniques for fast recovery, so call MetroWest Podiatry or use the online scheduling link to set up your appointment.
