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WOUND CARE SPECIALIST

ANKLE & FOOT CENTER OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

Podiatry located in Tavares, FL

If you’re living with diabetes or chronic venous insufficiency, you’re also more likely to develop slow-healing wounds or infections. Fortunately, wound care treatment can promote healing and prevent more serious problems. Podiatrist Joanne Balkaran, DPM, FACFAS, CWS, and her team at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida in Tavares, Florida, regularly provide wound care for men, women, and children. To request your wound care consultation today, call the office or use the online booking tool.

Wound Care Q & A

What are leg and foot ulcers?

Leg and foot ulcers are wounds or open sores that don’t heal and keep returning. While anyone can develop leg and foot ulcers, they’re especially common in people who have chronic health conditions like diabetes and chronic venous insufficiency. 

Without proper care, leg and foot ulcers can become infected or lead to more serious complications.

Are there different types of wound care?

At Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida, the doctors have an on-site wound care center. They offer several types of wound care, including:

Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers usually occur on the bottom of the feet. They can also develop on your lower leg or ankle as a result of an injury. Diabetic foot ulcers usually appear pink, red, or brown. They’re also associated with neuropathy (permanent nerve damage). If you have diabetes, it’s important to physically inspect your feet every day, once in the morning and once at night.

Treatment of chronic venous insufficiency

If you’re living with chronic venous insufficiency, you might develop a venous stasis ulcer. Venous stasis ulcers usually occur on the inner part of the leg, just above the ankle. They’re usually red and feature green or yellow discharge. You’re more likely to develop this type of ulcer if you have poor circulation, varicose veins, or a history of blood clots.

How are leg ulcers and open wounds diagnosed?

To diagnose ulcers and wounds caused by diabetes or chronic venous insufficiency, your doctor reviews your medical history and does a physical exam. Your wound care specialist also examines each ulcer thoroughly and does noninvasive vascular tests to develop a treatment plan.

What does wound care involve?

Wound care depends on the size and severity of your wounds as well as your underlying symptoms. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain, speed up recovery, and lower your risk of infection.

Your Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida provider might recommend:

  • Prescription antibiotics
  • Compression garments
  • Custom orthotics
  • Topical wound care therapies

If you’re at risk of developing blood clots, your doctor might also recommend antiplatelet or anti-clotting medications.

To learn more about your wound care treatments, make an appointment at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.