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Taking care of your foot wounds is essential in preventing infections and other complications – which is why Mesilla Valley Footcare in Las Cruces, New Mexico, offers advanced wound care options. Rolando Cadena, DPM, and Clair Cadena Miranda, DPM, provide cutting-edge services for diabetic and other foot and ankle wounds and offer prevention strategies to keep your feet healthy and prevent long-term complications. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cadena or Dr. Miranda, call Mesilla Valley Footcare today or request a consultation on the website.
What are foot wounds?
Wounds are any open tissue area on the skin of the toes or feet. They range from mild to severe and may cause pain.
Diabetes is a common denominator when it comes to wounds called ulcers. Diabetic foot ulcers happen when diabetes causes nerve damage and reduced circulation, making it hard to feel when you have a cut on the feet.
Peripheral neuropathy and other vascular problems also cause foot wounds because they affect your ability to feel pain and reduce blood flow to your legs and feet.
Symptoms of foot wounds are different for everyone and depend on the severity of the problem. Common signs of an ulcer include drainage, swelling, or red skin, with or without a foul odor.
Can I treat foot wounds at home?
You may be able to treat minor wounds at home as long as you don’t have an infection. Dr. Cadena and Dr. Miranda not only provide ulcer prevention tips but also offer wound care techniques you can use at home, which include:
- Wash the wound with soap and water
- Dry the area completely
- Apply bandages
- Change the bandages as directed
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Wear shoes that fit correctly
- Check the wound daily
Dr. Cadena and Dr. Miranda may also direct you to wear compression wraps on the affected leg to increase circulation to the wound. You should also check the wound regularly for signs of infection and to make sure the wound is healing correctly.
What does wound care entail?
The practice provides patients with advanced wound care services for more severe wounds that they perform right in the office. Dr. Cadena and Dr. Miranda carefully evaluate the wound to determine the next step in treatment.
Minor-to-moderate wounds may only require specialized cleaning and bandaging to keep the wound clean and dry. They may also provide topical and oral medications to help the wound heal or treat an infection.
Severe wounds require more aggressive treatments, including wound debridement and skin grafting when necessary. These techniques allow the team to remove dead or infected tissue to provide a better environment for the wound to heal.
Mesilla Valley Footcare also provides custom orthotics and compression stockings to help increase circulation and prevent harmful pressure sores on the feet.
Call the practice today to make an appointment for wound care or request a consultation on the website.