Diabetes is a metabolic condition that affects millions of individuals across the world. Among its numerous complications, diabetes can cause significant damage to the skin, leading to slow-healing wound development. Diabetic wounds can be challenging to treat, which is where a wound care physician can come in handy. Understanding how a wound care physician manages and treats diabetic wounds is key to successful recovery. 

Diagnosing Diabetic Wounds

Diagnosing a diabetic wound requires the expertise of a wound care physician. These specialists perform an in-depth assessment, examining the wound's size, depth, and type. They also assess its location and accompanying symptoms such as pain, swelling, or redness.

Debridement

Debridement is a standard procedure wound care physicians perform when treating chronic wounds. Diabetic wounds tend to have poor blood flow and may harbor infection, which makes debridement even more crucial. Debridement involves removing all the dead tissue, bacteria, and foreign debris from the wound so that new, healthy tissue can grow.

Dressing Changes

Wound care physicians customize dressings according to the patient's wound and the stage of healing. Dressings must be sterile and changed regularly to prevent infection and maintain a moist healing environment. Physicians can use various dressing materials, such as antimicrobial, hydrocolloid, or foam dressings. Some wounds may require more advanced treatments like negative pressure wound therapy or growth factors.

Managing Underlying Factors

Wound care physicians recognize that diabetic wounds are merely a symptom of underlying complicating factors such as peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, and diabetes-induced immune system dysfunction. Wound physicians work to optimize the patient's overall health, which may include managing blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Managing these underlying factors can improve wound healing and prevent future wound development in the patient.

Collaborative Approach

Wound care physicians collaborate with other healthcare providers, including primary care physicians, vascular surgeons, and infectious disease experts. The approach ensures that each patient receives comprehensive care that targets the underlying causes of diabetic wounds.

Diabetic wounds can be challenging to treat, and the expertise of a wound care physician can significantly improve wound healing. From diagnosing wounds to managing underlying factors and working collaboratively with other healthcare providers, wound care physicians provide comprehensive care that targets the root causes of diabetic wound development. If you or a loved one has a diabetic wound that has not healed or is growing, seeking the help of a wound care physician can make a significant difference to your overall health