Wound Care Specialist
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Foot and Ankle Clinic of MidFlorida
Foot and Ankle Surgeon & Podiatrist located in Sebring, FL
At Foot and Ankle Clinic of MidFlorida in Sebring, Florida, experienced foot and ankle expert Paul Ebanks, DPM, FACFAS, offers comprehensive wound care services to treat ulcers from injury or diabetes. Dr. Ebanks provides in-office evaluations of open wounds and customizes care plans to prevent infection and other common complications. Don’t put off wound care services for any open wound on your feet. You can contact Foot and Ankle Clinic of MidFlorida by phone or by requesting an appointment online now.
Wound Care Q & A
What causes wounds?
Open wounds, or ulcers, are common disorders that develop in the feet, especially if you have underlying health conditions like diabetes or neuropathy.
Wounds develop when the outer layers of your skin suffer an injury, exposing the deeper tissues underneath. You may have an open wound from direct trauma to your feet, or ulcers may form due to excessive pressure on the skin of your feet from poor-fitting shoes or if you’re confined to a bed.
What open wound symptoms need medical attention?
To prevent a worsening of your condition, such as a potentially dangerous infection, you shouldn’t ignore visible sores on your feet. Schedule a diagnostic evaluation for any open wound, especially if you also have symptoms like:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Drainage
- Noticeably thicker skin
As an open wound worsens, you may also notice an unpleasant odor.
Dr. Ebanks offers comprehensive wound evaluations in-office to identify the potential cause of the wound and determine how severe it is. Based on a physical exam of the ulcer, he creates a treatment plan that focuses on protecting the skin and overall health of your foot and preventing an infection.
What wound care services are available?
For mild wounds in the early stages, Dr. Ebanks may use topical treatments to disinfect the wound and prevent infection. He wraps the wound to keep out debris and keep the area clean.
For moderate to severe wounds, Dr. Ebanks may request imaging tests to assess the extent of the damage. He may need to remove areas of damaged, infected tissue to promote proper healing. You may also need topical or oral medications to reduce your risk for infection.
If you have diabetes or neuropathy that causes recurring wounds, Dr. Ebanks may recommend using shoe inserts or pads, or wearing specialized shoes to reduce pressure on the skin of your feet.
Dr. Ebanks also works closely with you to ensure that your diabetes is well-controlled to prevent complications, like chronic ulcers, from affecting your foot health.
If you have slow-healing foot sores or develop an open wound due to injury, schedule an appointment at Foot and Ankle Clinic of MidFlorida today using the online booking feature or by calling the office.
