Podiatrists and Wounds and Ulcers

Foot ulcerations or open wounds are a condition where there is a breakdown in many layers of skin and tissue sometimes going all the way to the bone. They can be cause by pressure to a weight bearing point on the foot, but they can occur on top of the foot or between toes due to pressure from shoes or a bony spur. The risk of ulcer formation is higher in patients with decreased circulation or impaired blood supply to the legs and feet. Diabetics are prone to foot ulcerations, but they can be found in patients with high blood pressure, blood clots, varicose veins, and phlebitis as well.

Treatment for foot ulcerations varies according to the cause of the wound. The goal of the treatment is to close the wound from the inside out as quickly as possible. In cases where there is adequate circulation, debridement (removal of dead tissue) may be used around the edges and within the ulcer itself to promote healing. Other treatments include oral medications, compression, and bed rest. New advances have been made in wound care in recent years including the use of platelet-derived growth factor as a way to promote healing. Podiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat all forms of foot and leg ulcerations.