Health & Medicine
2007-02-01 13:17:00
Reasons why a sore does not heal
Why do I have this open sore that will not heal?
ANSWER: Approximately five million Americans suffer from chronic open sores that can become seriously infected, gangrenous and in some cases require amputation. This is often due to limited blood flow which can slow the body’s own healing process. Many patients seek professional help for wounds that have not healed after months of standard wound treatment. In the majority of patients, treatment programs produce complete healing, usually within a few months.
There are wounds that are called Chronic Wounds. These wounds do not heal in a normal amount of time; these include:
• Diabetic Ulcers
• Pressure Sores
• Arterial Ulcers
• Venous Ulcers
• Surgery Wound that does not close
• Chemical Wounds
Treatment of these wounds is individualized based on the type and severity of the wound. Wound treatment can include removal of unhealthy tissue. The fastest possible healing is achieved through wound treatment programs. Wound treatment and intervention include:
• Advanced Wound Dressings
• Antibiotic Therapy
• Vascular Intervention
• Nutrition Counseling
• Education/Prevention of reoccurrence
• Surgical Debridement
• Physical Therapy
• Protective Footwear
• Advanced Biological
• Harvest APC
There has been a plethora of advances, especially within the last several years, for the treatment of chronic wounds. This method is called Harvest APC or also known as Autologous Platelet Concentrate. From a small amount of the patient’s blood, growth factors (substances that stimulate healing) are isolated, concentrated and applied topically to the wound. Growth factors can speed and enhance healing of the wound. Not only have platelet-derived growth factors gained notoriety in specialties such as orthopedic, maxillofacial and plastic surgery, the technology is increasingly being recognized as an important modality for accelerating healing in chronic wounds.
When it comes to using growth factors to heal wounds, the results have been impressive. We have achieved a 94% success rate using this method on a series of chronic wounds, with the criteria for success being completely healed. This technology has repeatedly proved itself with closure. While this technology is simple to use it is effective in an office-based setting. It is my opinion that widespread use of this technology will become commonplace in other aspects of podiatric surgery.
