Advanced Wound Medicine

If you have persistent, non-healing wounds as a result of diabetes, poor circulation, burns, surgery or trauma, our Wound Healing Centers are here for you. As comprehensive wound care centers, we provide expert evaluation, individualized therapy plans and support for each patient. This approach ensures our highly trained specialists are able to identify the reason a wound is not healing; identify and treat any infection present; provide appropriate treatment to enhance wound healing; provide relief for diseased tissue; and prevent loss of limbs.

With four convenient locations, we offer easy accessibility and a multidisciplinary team of specialists with extensive experience in wound care and hyperbaric medicine.

Risk Factors

There are many factors that lead to the development of non-healing wounds, including:

• Diabetes
• Decreased blood flow to legs and feet
• Immobility
• Neuropathy (burning, tingling or lack of sensation in the feet)
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking

Conditions That May Require Treatment

• Diabetic foot, lower leg and pressure ulcers
• Arterial and venous wounds
• Wounds associated with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma
• Bone, wound and post-operative infections
• Radiation skin wounds
• Skin tears or lacerations

When to Call a Wound Healing Center

Common signs and symptoms that may accompany chronic, non-healing wounds and indicate that you may need specialized services are:

• Significant swelling
• Increased or unusual pain
• Excessive drainage of ulcers
• Redness around the wound site
• Pain with walking or numbness/tingling in the feet
• Temperature or color change in the feet
• Recommended amputation

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a specialized treatment designed to accelerate and enhance the tissue healing process by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood and tissues. HBOT is used to treat a wide range of conditions and benefits many patients, especially those with chronic wounds. Treatment occurs in a sealed, pressurized chamber where oxygen is delivered while pressure is simultaneously increased to above normal atmospheric pressure. The combination of pure oxygen and high pressure allows increased oxygenation at the tissue level.

During the initial consultation, a HBOT candidate will meet with one of our hyperbaric medicine specialists. This evaluation, including medical history, will determine the course of action for treatment. The frequency and number of sessions needed depends on a patient’s condition and response to treatment, and in some cases, more than 30 sessions may be required.

The following tests are required prior to starting HBOT:

• Chest x-ray
• 12 lead EKG, >40 yrs., cardiac history
• Digoxin and anti-seizure medication levels
• Echocardiogram, with clinical history of congestive heart failure