Podiatrists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions related to the foot, the ankle, and potions of the lower limbs. Wound care is a podiatric specialty. Dr. La Vergne Andre of Loving Hands Podiatry, who serves the residents of Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Charles County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Beltsville, Maryland – and DC, offers professional house calls to help manage wounds in the comfort and safety of your own home.
Podiatrists and Wound Care
Podiatrists are trained and educated to assess and diagnose various types of wounds on the foot and your lower extremities. They consider factors such as wound size, depth, and the presence of infection to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. In addition to wounds created by trauma, Dr. Andre treats wounds relating to-
- Diabetes – People who are afflicted with diabetes have an increased risk of the development of foot complications, which may include wounds that do not heal properly or take more time to heal than typically needed. Podiatrists play a vital role in diabetic foot care by conducting regular examinations to identify early signs of issues, providing education on foot care practices, and managing wounds to prevent complications.
- Infections - Podiatrists have the expertise to identify and treat foot wound infections by –
- Prescribing antibiotic medicine.
- Performing procedures to treat infected tissue and,
- Overseeing your healing process.
- Peripheral Vascular Disease - Poor blood circulation can hamper the healing of wounds. Podiatrists can evaluate the vascular condition of patients to detect issues that affect lower limb blood flow.
Podiatric Wound Care Techniques
Podiatrists can offer a variety of techniques to help treat problematic wounds -
- Debridement - is a common technique used in wound care to remove infected or dead tissue. The removal promotes wound healing. Podiatrists are skilled in performing debridement procedures to treat lower limb ulcers and wounds.
- Pressure Off-loading – this technique refers to the strategic reduction/redistribution of pressure points designed to reduce pressure on vulnerable areas on your foot.
- Custom footwear will reduce stress in the targeted area.
Podiatrists dedicate time to educating patients on proper foot care practices to help proactively prevent foot wounds and further complications. This includes guidance on foot hygiene, nail care, and the selection of appropriate footwear.
Contact a Visiting Beltsville, Maryland, and DC Podiatrist for Your Wound Care Needs
If you have concerns about foot wounds or related issues, contact Dr. Andre or a Loving Hands Podiatry staff member at 301-323-5652 or online. We look forward to assessing and managing a treatment plan for your unique wound care needs.