Most minor wounds may be treated at home with first aid. Nevertheless, some wounds are deeper and require medical attention to heal properly and avoid infection. At a wound care facility like Heart Vascular and Leg Center, you can expect exceptional and highly individualized care. Dr. Vinod Kumar and his expert staff treat various wounds, ranging from skin ulcers to non-healing and infected wounds. Read on to learn more about Bakersfield wound care, when to seek this form of specialist health care, and what it could do for you.
What Are The Common Reasons Persons Seek Wound Care?
One of the most prevalent reasons people seek specialized wound care is chronic wounds. Chronic wounds are traumas that do not heal well with standard treatment; thus, necessitating professional medical attention. If left unaddressed, chronic wounds could lead to disability.
Some of the most commonly-treated chronic wounds at Heart Vascular and Leg Center include:
v Pressure Ulcer
Also referred to as bedsores, pressure ulcers occur once pressure is applied to the skin for an extended period; hence, obstructing blood flow. The pressure created by the obstructed blood flow manifests as an open sore on your skin. These wounds most commonly affect patients with medical issues that limit their movement and mainly occur on the hips, tailbone, ankles, or heels.
v Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Diabetic foot ulcers could develop in parts of the foot subjected to repetitive pressure or trauma due to poorly managed diabetes. In fact, up to 5% of patients with diabetes end up developing foot ulcers.
v Non-Healing Surgical Wounds
These wounds are triggered by a cut during a surgical operation that failed to heal correctly. Wound healing is a complicated process including various components such as sufficient healthy tissue, a strong immune system, and proper oxygen flow to the region. If any of these elements is insufficient or missing, the wound might fail to heal properly.
What To Expect During Your Visit To A Wound Care Facility?
At Heart Vascular and Leg Center, you can expect Dr. Kumar and his team to assess your wound extensively. These specialists will also examine your health history and assess the circulation in the damaged area. If necessary, your provider may suggest additional tests, including blood testing, X-ray or MRI, and wound culture.
All the above mentioned procedures help your doctor determine the primary reason for your wound. For instance, a non-healing wound may be caused by limited activity, poor circulation, diabetes, poor diet, tobacco, and alcohol use.
After comprehensively assessing your wound, your doctor will suggest a bespoke care plan. They will clean your wound properly to avoid infection and dress it. Depending on the problem, you may want to attend the wound care clinic often. Dr. Kumar employs various therapeutic approaches to wound care, including:
- Debridement
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Negative pressure therapy
- Compression stockings
In addition, your doctor will recommend proper post-therapy guidelines and routine follow-ups to monitor improvements.
Do not delay seeking care for your non-healing or troubling wounds. Even the tiniest wounds could quickly escalate into much more serious difficulties such as infection, surgery, or hospitalization for more serious illnesses if not appropriately addressed. Make an appointment with Dr. Vinod Kumar to discuss your unique concerns. Call the Bakersfield, CA office or use the online scheduling tool to get started.
