Our Skilled Tarrant County Foot Doctors Explain Wound Beds and Why They Need Podiatric Care
When you have a foot or ankle wound, proper care of the wound bed is critical, especially if you have a medical condition that can negatively impact wound healing. That’s why it’s so important to seek podiatric care rather than try to treat the wound yourself. 
The experienced podiatrists at Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Grapevine and Keller, Texas explain why having a podiatrist evaluate and treat the wound bed is critical for reducing your risk of developing serious and dangerous complications.
Understanding Wound Beds and How They’re Treated
A wound bed is the exposed surface of a wound after all dead tissue and debris have been removed. A podiatrist typically assesses and treats the wound bed when dealing with foot and ankle wounds. This is particularly important for people who have medical conditions that can make wound healing difficult, such as diabetes and peripheral artery disease. Treating wound beds may involve:
- Cleaning the wound bed to create an optimal environment for healing
- Removing damaged, dying, or dead tissue via debridement
- Applying dressings
- Preventing or treating infection
- Managing underlying conditions that impede healing
Different Wound Beds Require Different Care
Podiatrists play a critical role in wound bed care, especially for chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and ischemic ulcers. A podiatrist may see and treat several different types of wound bed issues, which vary in appearance based on the wound’s severity and stage. Examples include the following:
- Necrotic tissue. Dead or dying tissue, which may be black or brown, is necrotic and can impede healing. The podiatrist may need to debride (remove) this tissue to promote healthy healing.
- Slough. When the wound bed presents as a yellow or white layer composed of dead cells and debris, this is referred to as slough. It needs to be cleaned out to allow proper healing of the wound.
- Epithelial tissue. In the final stage of healing, new skin begins to form over the wound bed. This new skin is epithelial tissue. Podiatrists help ensure the wound remains clean and protected during this phase.
- Granulation tissue. The red, moist tissue that appears on a healing wound bed is granulation tissue. It is a sign of a healthy wound bed. When granulation tissue appears, it’s important to promote its growth.
Key Reasons to See a TX Podiatrist for Wound Bed Care
It’s important to see a podiatrist for wound bed care rather than trying to treat your wound yourself. Without proper podiatric care for foot wounds, you have an elevated risk of developing serious complications. An experienced podiatrist has the skill, knowledge, and tools necessary to correctly diagnose and treat your wound bed. Our experienced podiatrists offer the following:
Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment
A podiatrist has the training and skill to accurately diagnose the type of wound, assess the wound bed, and identify underlying issues such as infection, neuropathy, or poor circulation to the extremities. They can determine and manage the most appropriate treatment plan to promote healing for specific wound types and to help you manage the pain associated with your wound.
Specific Wound Care Techniques
Podiatrists use advanced wound care techniques to promote healing that are not typically available or easily applied at home. These techniques include debridement to remove necrotic or infected tissue and application of wound dressings made to manage moisture and fight infection. They can also prescribe antibiotics as needed to fight infection and provide offloading devices, such as specialized shoes, orthotic inserts, or crutches, to reduce pressure on the wound.
Ways to Help Prevent Major Complications
Do-it-yourself wound treatment increases your risk of serious complications such as infection, delayed healing, or even gangrene. The sooner you see a podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment, the less likely it is that you will experience these complications. When you see a podiatrist right away, they can identify early signs of problems and take steps to prevent further issues, thus reducing your chances of experiencing severe complications.
Education for Reducing the Risk of Amputation
For patients with chronic or severe wounds, particularly those with diabetes, seeking early professional care for foot or ankle wounds reduces the risk of infection spreading to deeper tissues, bones, or joints, which can lead to amputation. Podiatrists focus on limb preservation, with the goal of seeking to prevent amputation.
Regular Monitoring to Ensure Healing
Podiatrists provide ongoing care and monitoring of wounds, which helps to ensure that the healing process is progressing as expected. Follow-up care allows for close monitoring of treatment effectiveness to allow for any adjustments that may be needed, as well as early detection of complications, which may be missed with self-treatment.
Ways for Managing Underlying Conditions
Many foot wounds result from underlying conditions like diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or neuropathy. A podiatrist may be able to provide guidance and advice that will help you manage the effects of these conditions alongside wound care, potentially leading to improved blood circulation, restored sensation, or reduced pressure. Outcomes like these can play a significant role in helping to heal existing wounds and early detection of future wounds.
Get the Proper Wound Bed Care You Need
If you live or work in the Tarrant County area of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, contact Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists for with your foot wound. Dr. Joseph Harvey and Dr. Richard A. Nichols have the experience and knowledge to evaluate, diagnose, and provide care for wound beds and other conditions of the feet and ankles. We are here to provide the comprehensive podiatric care you need to heal and to help minimize your risk of developing serious complications from foot wounds.