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Curative
wound management programs save lives and limbs
Former patient back on his feet after amputation scare
When Greg Owen was referred
to the Ingham Regional Wound Care Center in Lansing, Mich., he was in
danger of losing his toe, possibly his foot, to one of the most devastating
complications of diabetes — chronic wounds. As an active member of
the community and an avid fan of Michigan State University sports, amputation
was unthinkable.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time for people to learn more
about the disease and its complications, like those Owen experienced.
Approximately 17 million Americans have diabetes, and each year more than
86,000 of them undergo amputations resulting from foot ulcers or chronic
wounds. Doctors estimate that nearly 50 percent of amputations may be
prevented through a combination of awareness and intervention.
Diagnosed with diabetes in 1983, Owen was a model patient who monitored
his blood sugar levels and paid close attention to changes in his body.
After noticing unusual coloring in his foot, Owen immediately called his
podiatrist for a consultation.
“I noticed my foot was swollen,” Owen said. “Because of
the nerve damage and limited feeling I have in my feet, I knew it might
be serious and was something my doctor should check.”
Owen’s problem was serious. A bone in his foot was applying pressure
to his small toe when he wore shoes. The pressure led to an abrasion that
became infected and spread to other areas of his foot. He couldn’t
feel pain from the infection and it was difficult for him to see the bottom
of his foot, so his undetected wounds quickly became severe. At the Wound
Care Center, he learned some of the bones, tendons and skin tissues were
infected and he was at high risk for amputation.
Approximately 60 percent of people with diabetes suffer from a complication
called neuropathy, or nerve damage, and may not be able to feel sharp
pain in their feet. Left unnoticed and untreated, wounds may become infected
and lead to greater complications like amputation.
Owen was fortunate. A team of medical professionals at the Wound Care
Center treated his wounds with a variety of strong antibacterial creams,
minor surgical procedures and foot dressings. Within seven months, his
wounds were completely healed and he was able to do what he most loved
— cheer on the Michigan State Spartans.
“We can’t stress enough how important it is for people with
diabetes to check their feet daily and to wear properly fitting shoes,”
said Dr. Joe Gonzalez, a podiatric surgeon at the Ingham Regional Wound
Care Center who treated Owen. “Chronic wounds may be debilitating,
but people with diabetes can take simple steps to prevent complications
from arising, and thereby significantly improve their condition.”
The following preventive measures may help people avoid or minimize the
severity of injuries, sores and infections to their feet:
• Never walk barefoot.
• Check feet every day for injury and use a mirror to see the soles.
• Wash feet daily in warm, soapy water.
• Moisturize the soles of feet with unscented lotion immediately
after bathing.
• Check shoes to make sure they are free of stones and sharp or lumpy
objects, like a child’s toy
• Wear loose socks in bed if feet are cold -- do not use hot water
or heating pads to warm cold feet.
• Make regular visits (every 8 to 12 weeks) to a podiatrist.
More than 6 million people in the United States suffer from chronic wounds,
commonly defined as wounds that show little or no improvement after four
weeks of best practices or do not progress toward healing in eight weeks.
Curative Health Services operates a national network of approximately
90 Wound Care Centers, which follow an interdisciplinary approach when
treating patients suffering from chronic wounds. Nutrition, wound prevention
and education play key roles in all treatment plans. Wound Care Centers
have provided care to over 425,000 patients, treated nearly one million
chronic wounds, and maintain a consistent patient satisfaction rate of
more than 90 percent across the nation. Eighty-six percent of patients
who discussed amputation with their doctors were able to save their limbs
through treatment at Wound Care Centers.
If non-healing foot ulcers occur, patients should consult a physician.
For more information about foot care tips for people with diabetes or
treatment for non-healing wounds, call the nearest Wound Care Center at
(800) 991-HEAL (4325).
Curative Health Services (www.curative.com) is the nation’s largest
wound management company, with Wound Care Centers throughout the United
States and Puerto Rico.
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