Wounds

Wounds on the feet can come in all shapes and sizes, what started out as a small nick or simple scratch can become something much more problematic given the right circumstances. They may even become what is known as a chronic foot ulcer (which is just a fancy way of saying a wound on your foot that won’t go away). What’s worse is, if left untreated the wound can become infected, starting out as a soft tissue infection then becoming a bone infection if left long enough. In worst-case scenarios, wounds like this might even require amputation.

We are pleased to share that after months of careful management, one of our patients has successfully recovered from a chronic leg ulcer. This challenging case required constant attention, routine wound debridement, and an amnion graft to promote healing. After three long months, our patient is fully healed and back to doing the things they love. 

People most susceptible to chronic wounds on their feet are those with blood circulation problems, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and those with weakened immune systems. A lot of these problems come hand-in-hand, and make it difficult to even recognize wounds on your feet. That’s why it’s important to regularly check your feet for any abnormalities, particularly if you have numbness in your feet. Sometimes, not feeling pain can be bad for you. There have been patients who have come in saying that their feet feel wet, and it turns out there was a wound festering the entire time. Treatments would include things like wound debridement (which is just the removal of dead or infected tissue), oral and topical antibiotics, and skin grafts. It is important to discuss wounds with your doctor so that they can assess how far along the wound has progressed and provide you with the proper treatment. After all, no one wants to be missing a foot!

Author

Visoth Chan, DPM Dr. Visoth Chan is the owner and medical director of Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience. Following this, she received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree at the California School of Podiatric Medicine in Oakland. She subsequently completed her podiatric surgical residency at White Memorial in Los Angeles. She takes great pride in her role at Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates and strives to make sure her patients have the best care possible. When not treating patients, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family, especially her daughter, Emmylou.