Cass Regional Medical Center | Wellness Matters | Fall 2017

divers recover from the bends. Today, the technology may be used as an additional treatment for certain nonhealing wounds, including some diabetic ulcers. Debridement. Dead tissue—which slows healing time and can harbor infection- causing bacteria—is removed using surgical instruments, gel that contains enzymes or other methods. Special dressings. These contain foams or gels and may be applied to maintain a clean, moist environment for faster healing. Antibiotics for infections or growth-factor medicines that help support healing also may be applied to wounds. Negative pressure wound therapy. This is also known as vacuum-assisted closure. It involves using a device to create negative pressure (a vacuum) at well-sealed wound sites. The vacuum can help remove excess fluids and increase blood flow, which may accelerate healing. Taking pressure off a wound. This includes using special braces and casts of shoes—a wound care practice known as off-loading. Once your wound is healed, our staff can help you understand what you can do to help prevent it from returning. Often, this involves addressing risk factors that may have contributed to your wound. Time, it’s said, heals all wounds. Maybe that’s true in matters of the heart. But physical wounds may sometimes need extra help. In particular, chronic or nonhealing wounds often require special care. And that’s where our wound center experts come in. They can apply the latest techniques in caring for wounds that are slow to heal or may not improve on their own. When wounds won’t heal There are many types of problem wounds, including venous ulcers on the legs, pressure sores, diabetic foot ulcers and wounds after cancer treatment. Several factors can put you at risk for a chronic wound, including poor blood flow, nerve damage or vascular problems affecting the legs, and a suppressed immune system. Infection and, in extreme cases, amputation are among possible complications. Our expert medical staff can work with your doctor to tailor a treatment plan for you. Depending on the type of wound and other factors, some of our treatment options may include: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Treatments involve breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber for an hour or more at a time. HBOT has long been used to help deep-sea numbers to know 6% The percentage of people with diabetes who get a foot ulcer that requires hospitalization. 15% The approximate percentage of people with diabetes who develop an open sore or wound, known as a diabetic ulcer, on their foot. 85% The percentage of diabetes- related amputations that can be traced back to a foot ulcer. Source: American Podiatric Medical Association Special care wounds FOR How we help heal chronic wounds Wellness Matters | Fall 2017 7 We are experts at taking care of chronic wounds. Learn more at cassregional.org , or call The Wound Center at 816-887-0309 .