No body part bears more weight than your feet. Whether you’re standing on them for work, exercising, or simply taking a walk, your feet take the brunt. When you walk, it’s possible to transmit up to six times your body weight through your feet.
Because your feet are so important to your ability to move and get from place to place, a foot wound can be more than a minor annoyance and interfere with your daily activities. Even a small scrape or cut can become a serious ulcer if you ignore it or it’s not treated properly. A foot or ankle wound can develop into a painful, dangerous infection that could put you at risk of amputation.
At Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, Dr. Benjamin Weaver understands that a foot wound can limit your mobility and may need immediate attention. He is one of the few podiatrists in the area who is wound-care certified and uses the latest techniques and technology to provide his patients with advanced wound care. Here, Dr. Weaver discusses possible treatment options for foot and ankle wounds.
Foot Wounds: What You Need to Know
In general, a foot wound is any open injury or sore on the foot. It can be a small abrasion, gash, cut, lesion, or scrape or a deeper wound that doesn’t heal properly or may recur. These type of sores are caused by a breakdown of the skin and tissues of the feet and ankles and may become infected.
Types of Foot and Ankle Ulcers
Foot and ankle ulcers typically fall into one of three categories based on appearance, location, and how they affect the skin:
- Venous ulcers. These wounds affect the legs below the knees, often in patients with a history of leg swelling and related vein conditions.
- Neurotropic ulcers. These are typically diabetic foot ulcers that often occur on the bottom of the feet.
- Arterial (ischemic) ulcers. These ulcers develop all over the feet in those with poor circulation.
What Causes a Foot Wound
Patients who suffer from diabetic neuropathy—a condition that reduces sensation in the feet due to nerve damage—often experience foot wounds. Because diabetes makes it difficult for patients to detect a wound, it may go unnoticed and develop into an ulcer. Additionally, trauma, poor circulation, and abnormal foot anatomy can contribute to the development of an ulcer. Other health conditions that can increase your risk of a foot ulcer include:
- Obesity
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Alcohol and/or tobacco use
Treatment Options for Your Foot Wound
When developing a treatment plan for your foot or ankle wound, our goal is to treat your existing wound and provide you with knowledge and resources to help prevent future issues with foot injuries. We believe in working in collaboration with our patients, making them an active participant in the care they receive. Depending on the type and severity of your foot wound, we will discuss a possible treatment plan that could include any of the following:
Ultrasound Waves
Dr. Weaver may choose to use state-of-the-art technology on your wound called the UltraMIST System. UltraMIST promotes wound healing by delivering low-frequency ultrasound waves to the wound area without making direct contact. Unlike traditional wound debridement methods, this non-contact application reduces pain and the risk of cross-contamination and infection. This ultrasonic mist treatment can be helpful in treating diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and other chronic non-healing wounds.
Debridement
This procedure removes debris, dead skin, and damaged tissue from the wound, so there’s a clean environment for new tissue growth. It’s a critical step in treating foot ulcers and chronic wounds, and there are several methods Dr. Weaver may use:
- Enzymatic debridement. Using this procedure, our podiatrist applies topical medications containing enzymes that break down dead tissue over time. It is a slower, gentler approach.
- Autolytic debridement. With this procedure, moist dressings are used to soften and liquefy dead tissue, which the body then absorbs and removes naturally. This method is slow but selective, only removing necrotic tissue.
- Mechanical debridement. Our podiatrist may use techniques such as wet-to-dry dressings or lavage (pressurized irrigation) to physically remove dead tissue.
- Sharp debridement. This process involves using a scalpel or scissors to remove dead tissue. This is the most aggressive method and is often performed under local anesthesia.
Regardless of the method, the goal of debridement is to clear away all necrotic tissue to leave a clean wound bed that can heal properly. Podiatrists may perform debridement in the office, or if the wound is severe, they may perform it in an operating room.
Off-Loading
Offloading is another type of treatment used for wound care that takes pressure off a wound to allow it to heal. Foot ulcers, especially diabetic ulcers, often develop because there is ongoing pressure on bony protrusions. When that pressure is redistributed, the wound has a chance to close. Some common offloading techniques include the following:
- Padding and taping to cushion the wound and surrounding areas
- Wearing custom footwear or orthotics to accommodate dressings and prevent rubbing
- Using removable cast walkers or "boots" to keep weight completely off the wound
- Using crutches, a cane, walker, or wheelchair to limit standing and walking
The type and duration of offloading depend on the location and severity of the wound. Dr. Weaver works closely with each of his patients to find the correct offloading solution that will help promote the healing of your wound while still allowing you to be as mobile as possible.
Application of Dressings, Topical Medications, and Antibiotics
Dr. Weaver will provide information about how best to dress and treat your wound. He may prescribe specific topical medications that can encourage healing, as well as explain why a specific dressing type is necessary and how often you need to change it. He may discuss keeping the wound moist and how to avoid introducing bacteria into the wound when you change the dressing.
If your wound becomes infected, you may need to take oral antibiotics along with any topical treatments prescribed. Depending on the type of bacteria and any allergies you may have, Dr. Weaver will prescribe the appropriate medication that will help you heal.
Education on Foot Care and Potential Lifestyle Changes
Dr. Weaver provides education about foot wound care, the importance of good hygiene, and why it’s critical to follow your specific treatment plan, so you can actively participate in your own care. He knows that patients who are well-informed and have access to resource about their wound are more likely to adhere to recommended practices, leading to better outcomes.
Let Central Kansas Podiatry Associates Treat Your Foot Wound
It’s important to be proactive about foot wound prevention, especially if you have diabetes. Dr. Weaver knows it’s best to prevent wounds from developing in the first place. By catching problems early, you can often avoid complications that can make a foot wound difficult to resolve.
Don't let a small foot wound turn into a big problem. If you have a non-healing ulcer or are concerned about your risk of developing one, speak to Dr. Weaver at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates. We'll work together with you to help keep your feet as healthy as possible. Read our case results to learn more about how we help our patients.