Items filtered by date: April 2020
Biologic Membrane Therapy for Wound Care - County Wide Foot & Ankle
Wound care is among the most serious issues we treat within the podiatric practice overall. While foot wounds can impact anyone, resulting from things such as an accident, fall, misstep or even a compound fracture, our practice most often treats foot wounds that are a result of issues caused by Diabetes. Treating foot wounds and Diabetic foot ulcerations can be difficult due to many factors, but medical advancements in treating traumatic wounds are giving patients excellent healing results by engaging and encouraging the body to complete the healing process.
Understanding Ulcerative Wounds
Our community suffers from a relatively high rate of Diabetes – a result of having an older local population but also as a product of other conditions, such as obesity and genetics. As aforementioned, one of the complications that results from Diabetes is lower limb ulceration, which has the propensity to develop into chronic ulceration.
Statistics estimate that about a quarter of people who suffer with Diabetes will experience lower extremity ulceration. The appearance of the wound alone is a sign that other complications may be occurring, such as peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease and persistent hyperglycemia. For more on that, refer to our article on Foot Wound Care. (insert link to foot wound care)
Chronic ulceration, which refers to an ulcer (or wound) that has failed to heal within a normal timeframe, or continues to re-occur, is categorized as “chronic”. Chronic wounds are those that do not progress in a timely manner through the four phases of wound healing — hemostasis, inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling.
Treating Chronic or Ulcerative Wounds
One of the great challenges in treating chronic ulceration and foot wound care has been to positively encourage the body to heal itself within what would be considered a “normal” timeframe. A normal wound should go through several phases of redevelopment and regrowth. People suffering from a compromised healing system, and especially those affected by Diabetes, are unable to naturally complete this process, otherwise referred to as complete wound closure.
Before developing other solutions, it was at times complicated to treat traumatic wounds and Diabetic foot ulcerations. Skin substitutes can be costly or ineffective, and restoring the health of the impacted area depended largely on the overall health of the individual in combination with existing treatments and therapies. In addition, prolonged healing times could result in further infection and the inability to heal altogether. However, Amniotic Membrane Therapy is helping achieve wound closure while simultaneously engaging the area to fully heal by imparting the highly regenerative content they contain.
Amniotic Therapy in Medicine
One of the greatest additions to the podiatric practice has been the ability to utilize Amniotic Therapies. The inherent makeup of amniotic tissues enables patients to experience dramatic healing progress when otherwise the health of the tissues and limb(s) might be lost entirely. To understand the importance of Amniotic Therapies in podiatry, you first have to understand the significance of Amniotic Therapy in the medical field at large.
What are Amniotic Membrane Allografts (AMAs)?
Amniotic allografts are “sheets” of organic material, derived from maternal amniotic membranes, which include a range of highly regenerative properties. This organic material is packed with amazing properties that are inherent in, and integral for, the health and development of our species. More specifically, Amniotic Membranes used in wound healing consists of three distinct layers:
- Collagen
- Biologically Active Cells
- Regenerative Molecules
Collectively, these layers include a wealth of specialized proteins and growth factors, including:
- Proteoglycans
- Fibronectin
- Laminins
- Collagen
- Stem Cells
- Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF),
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF),
- Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF),
- Nerve Growth Factor (NGF),
- Transforming Growth Factors (TGF) and
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF).
- Regenerative Molecules
- Platelet-Derived Growth Factors
- Metalloproteinases
- Immunosuppressive Cytokines
- Epithelial Cells
https://www.podiatrytoday.com/closer-look-role-amniotic-membrane-diabetic-foot-ulcers
Altogether, the combination of these compounds work in synergy to regenerate and strengthen the tissue while reducing the probability of infection and inflammation. The amazing power of the Amniotic Membrane to create “cellular proliferation” has dramatically changed the way we are able to help the body heal itself when otherwise it would be unable to, due to things such as age, genetics or overall health.
https://www.woundsource.com/blog/amniotic-membrane-explained-what-it-and-how-it-used-in-wound-care
How Do Amniotic Membranes Facilitate Wound Care?
The process of tissue regeneration with Amniotic Membrane Allografts follows these basic steps:
- Create a structure to “cover” the wound
- Allows highly active compounds to treat the affected area
- Re-generates the immune response
- Reduces inflammation
- Stimulates the production of new blood vessels
- Facilitates tissue remodeling
- Wound closure and prevention of recurrence
Benefits of Amniotic Membranes for Wound Healing
- Reduces pain when applied to a wound
- initiates wound healing process
- contains antibacterial properties
- non-immunogenic (not rejected by the body)
- reduces inflammation
- reduces scar tissue
- Excellent alternative to skin grafting
What do Amniotic Membranes treat?
- Wounds
- Diabetic Foot Ulcers
- Trauma fractures during surgery)
- augmentation for tendon repairs
- burns
- ulcers/chronic ulcers
- traumatic wounds
- surgical incisions
- ophthalmic conditions
Amniotic Membrane Skin Substitute from Artacent® Wound
At County Wide Foot, Ankle and Wound Care Associates, we’re proud to use Artacent® Wound. Artacent® Wound is the only wound-specific amniotic patch that can be applied with either side facing the wound. Amniotic tissues are safe, natural biologic barriers, with native membranes supplying a wide array of growth factors. The unique design of Artacent® Wound allows for easy manipulation and repositioning, making it a flexible, dependable option for a variety of wound covering applications.
Amniotic Cells in Podiatric Medicine & Beyond
Amniotic Therapy is proving to be a revolutionary treatment for all sorts of chronic issues, such as joint pain, knee pain and tendonitis as well as sports injuries, but are especially helpful in supporting individuals with comprised immune systems or diseases who are unable to naturally regenerate tissues. Amniotic Therapies are available in both “membrane” format and in “flowable” format, so they can be used either to help heal outer tissues or help heal inner injuries. Most notably, Amniotic Therapy is helping the podiatric community to treat and heal injuries without the need for surgical intervention.
Amniotic Membranes in particular, as we’ve outlined, have dramatically changed the outcomes for patients dealing with previously non-healing wounds or chronic ulceration. Not only have Amniotic Membranes changed the course of care for these patients, but advancements in science have produced an even better version of this wound dressing.
Now, Dehydrated Amniotic Membranes, which are cleansed, dehydrated and sterilized, are being used in wound care. The finished product can be stored up to 5 years, compared to live Amniotic Membrane dressings, which can only last up to 6 weeks. This has dramatically improved the cost associated with the therapy, making it more accessible to all.
Are you an Amniotic Membrane Therapy candidate?
Only your podiatrist can tell you if Amniotic Membrane Therapy is a proper treatment for your foot wound care or chronic ulceration, but many suggest the therapy as a first line of defense before considering more invasive procedures, such as surgery.
If you’d like to learn more about our Amniotic Membrane Therapy at County Wide Foot, Ankle & Wound Care Associates, please give us a call at 561-369-3300 to set up a personalized consultation with Dr. Desiree Garzon.
Wound Care in Podiatry
Foot Wound Care in Boynton Beach
The health of your feet is paramount to the wellbeing of your body. And if you experience chronic or non-healing foot wounds, it is often indicative of a much more concerning, underlying health issue. This is where the expertise of a podiatrist who specializes in wound care can save your limbs, and your life.
Foot Ulcers & Wounds
The appearance of a foot ulcer is one such indication of an underlying disease, often Diabetes. It can also be linked with peripheral arterial disease, heart attack, stroke, renal disease and poor circulation. Comprehensive foot wound care in Boynton Beach from a podiatrist can improve the health of your feet and is shown to reduce amputation rates by 45-85% in patients.
But many people don’t even know that they are developing a possibly life-threatening foot wound or ulcer. This can be due to the process of “Neuropathy”. Over time, elevated blood glucose levels can create nerve damage, resulting in a reduced or complete inability to feel pain in the lower leg(s) and foot. A podiatrist in Boynton Beach can check for Neuropathy by administering a simple and painless in-office test.
Symptoms of Foot Ulcers and Foot Wounds
Symptoms of a foot wound or ulcer include pain (if nerve damage is not present), redness, swelling, drainage or odor. Each of these symptoms are dependent on the progression of the foot wound. Since foot ulcers are often caused by a loss of circulation and feeling in the area, it’s critical to perform a visual check on the lower limbs often, especially for those managing their Diabetes. Being vigilant about checking for foot wounds is the first line of prevention in the progression of underlying disease(s) and painful interventions – or even foot amputation.
Diabetes and Wound Care
Approximately 12-15% of people with diabetes develop foot ulcers. Of those patients, many experience foot amputation as a result of the ulceration. Studies show that the 5-year mortality rate of those who had a diabetes-related amputation was between 39% and 68%. With that said, a foot ulcer or non-healing foot wound of any kind on the lower limbs should be taken care of immediately by a specialized wound care podiatrist in Boynton Beach as early as possible. Your health depends on it.
Early intervention is linked to saving not only limbs, but disease progression that can affect the vascular system and heart. Early intervention at the first sign of a foot wound is essential in maintaining overall wellness and preventing infection and amputation. Especially for those with Diabetes, your health and quality of life depends on being vigilant about your foot, ankle and lower limb care.
Wound Care Appointment
During a lower limb or foot appointment, the podiatrist will complete a 4-point diagnosis, examining the vascular, dermatologic, orthopedic, and neurologic health of the foot wound. They may also test for Neuropathy, as mentioned before, to see if nerve damage is present. Understanding things like medical history and any other known diseases is critical in helping to diagnose the causes of the foot wound or ulcer, as its presence is an indication of a greater health issue.
Wound Care Today
Once the podiatrist has diagnosed your condition, they may employ one or several techniques to restore the health of the foot and lower limb. Such treatments include cleaning the wound, reducing or removing pressure from the foot or limb, removing dead skin and tissue from the area, and following up with a medication protocol or blood-glucose management regimen. They may also recommend seeing another specialist in Boynton Beach to help treat the other symptoms that have contributed or caused the foot wound or ulcer.
Much has been discovered about foot wound care over the years, and solutions that were popular before are no longer utilized in wound care today. Appropriate wound care today includes the use of dressings, ointments/topical medications, antibiotics, and even growth factors, skin grafts and skin substitutes. Our team of podiatrists will be the best source for helping prevent any disease progression while helping to successfully get your wounds to heal.
Your podiatrist may be the first stop in a series of medical interventionists that prevent underlying disease(s) from spreading. Our team-oriented focus on the holistic health of the individual is a leading principle of our podiatric practice, as wound care often precedes the need to address other issues. At County Wide Foot, Ankle & Wound Care Associates, we are honored to serve the needs of the Boynton Beach community by helping to diagnose, treat and restore foot health.
