Wound Care

Untreated wounds on your feet can be painful and increase your risk of complications. At Cascade Foot & Ankle in Nephi and Provo, Utah, board-certified podiatric surgeon and wound care specialist Jared Clegg, DPM, FACFAS, and his team offer wound care for the legs, ankles, and feet. Schedule an evaluation by phone today to treat severe or nonhealing wounds.

What is wound care?

Wound care at Cascade Foot & Ankle consists of diagnosing and treating wounds that don’t heal on their own, are painful, and/or show signs of an infection. Foot ulcers are examples of slow-healing wounds that develop because of diabetes, poor circulation, and other underlying medical conditions.

What are the benefits of wound care?

Wound care at Cascade Foot & Ankle offers faster healing and symptom relief, reducing your risk of infections, gangrene (tissue death), and the need for foot amputation. It can ease pain in your feet and ankles, making it easier to remain mobile.

What increases the risk of nonhealing wounds?

Nonhealing wounds can develop due to:

• Diabetes
• Poor circulation
• Infections
• Injuries
• Weakened immune system
• Improper footwear
• Venous insufficiency
• Clotting disorders
• High blood pressure
• Kidney failure
• Lymphedema (leg and foot swelling)
• Heart disease

Smoking also raises your risk of wounds that don’t heal well.

Protecting your feet, particularly when walking barefoot, and properly controlling diabetes reduces your risk of poor- and nonhealing foot wounds.

Am I a candidate for wound care?

If you have one or more wounds on your feet that aren’t responding to bandages, antibiotic ointments, or other home remedies, see the Cascade Foot & Ankle team as soon as possible for an evaluation. The practice treats many types of foot ulcers, including:

Arterial ulcers

Arterial ulcers develop because of poor circulation. They often appear between your toes or on your heels and are black, brown, or gray. While they don’t bleed, arterial ulcers can be painful — particularly after lying down or sitting for long periods.

Venous stasis ulcers

Venous stasis ulcers typically form right above your ankles. They’re often red, covered in fibrous yellow tissues. Venous stasis ulcers commonly affect people struggling with leg swelling, varicose veins, and/or blood clots.

Neurotrophic ulcers

Neurotrophic ulcers might develop because of unmanaged diabetes. They typically appear on the soles and balls of your feet but can form anywhere. They’re often red, pink, or brown and can cause numbness, tingling, and/or burning sensations.

What does wound care consist of?

Wound care visits at Cascade Foot & Ankle consist of evaluating your feet and ankles and discussing your symptoms and medical history. Your provider carefully examines your wounds to determine their type, cause, size, and ideal treatment. You might need on-site X-rays, an MRI, QuantaFlow™ analysis, or lab testing.

Wound care treatments at Cascade Foot & Ankle can include:

• Oral medications
• Topical medicines
• Amniotic wound grafts
• Compression garments
• Custom-fitted orthotics (prescription shoe inserts)
• Hydrogels
• Antimicrobial dressings
• Synthetic skin substitutes
• Wound debridement
• Combination of treatments

Schedule an evaluation at Cascade Foot & Ankle by phone today to determine which wound care solutions best suit you.