ST. MARYS — The Wound Care Center at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, a member of the Healogics network, is participating in the Healogics National Diabetes Campaign from Oct. 24 to 28. Grand Lake Wound Care Center offers advanced therapies to patients suffering from chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers. Team members across the nation will dedicate the entire week to visiting local physician offices to provide education on the treatment of potential or existing chronic wounds for people also suffering from diabetes.
There are approximately 29.1 million people living with diabetes in the United States, and nearly 28 percent are undiagnosed. Of those 29.1 million, about 25 percent will eventually develop a foot ulcer. Left untreated, these ulcers can impair quality of life and may lead to amputation. In 2010, 60 percent of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occurred in adults 20 years and older with diagnosed diabetes.
Early detection and intervention can help to mitigate the possibility of limb loss. The Grand Lake Wound Care Center recommends the following to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers:
• Stop smoking immediately
• Comprehensive foot examinations each time you visit your healthcare provider (at least four times a year)
• Daily self-inspections of the feet, or have a family member perform the inspection
• Regular care of the feet including cleaning toenails and taking care of corns and calluses
• Choose supportive, proper footwear (shoes and socks)
• Take steps to improve circulation such as eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis
Proper wound care is imperative to healing diabetic foot ulcers. Grand Lake Wound Care Center offers a number of leading-edge treatments including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Total Contact Casting (TCC), and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy. These specialized wound care therapies can aid in wound closure, new tissue growth, wound tissue regeneration and much more.
Contact Grand Lake Wound Care Center to learn more about diabetic foot ulcers or if you have a wound that will not heal, call 419-394-9512.
