May 2023

Individuals living with diabetes are frequently affected by complications in their feet, such as diabetic foot ulcers, osteomyelitis, and gangrene. These conditions have significant repercussions on both the healthcare system and the patients who grapple with these health problems annually.

Patients afflicted with diabetic foot ulcers bear not only the physical discomfort but also the high treatment costs. Such ulcers, when infected, can potentially trigger or aggravate osteomyelitis. The most cost-effective and less painful strategy to manage diabetes-related wounds is through prevention, and that is where the expertise of a wound care specialist is crucial in treating osteomyelitis or diabetic foot ulcers.

Why Is It Necessary to Address My Diabetic Foot Ulcers?

Many individuals delay visiting wound care experts (or even their primary healthcare providers) out of fear of what might be diagnosed or in the hope that their ulcers will heal over time.

Regrettably, procrastination could complicate the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and even raise the risk of the ulcer developing into gangrene. Therefore, it is imperative for those with diabetes to promptly seek professional help at the first signs of ulcer deterioration.

Understanding Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment

The resolution of diabetic foot ulcers is a process that demands time and the invaluable support of a wound care specialist to navigate the treatment journey comfortably and efficiently.

Your initial encounter with a wound care specialist will involve a consultation where they familiarize themselves with you and your medical background to devise an appropriate treatment strategy. This typically encompasses:

• Thoroughly cleaning and immersing the foot to ward off infection
• Sterilizing the wound after cleaning
• Regular changes of dressings to maintain a dry wound
• Applying medicinal creams
• Individualized attention based on unique cases

Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers with Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers

For more complex ulcer cases, wound care experts may propose the utilization of hyperbaric oxygen chambers. The management of diabetic foot ulcers can be more challenging than treating wounds in non-diabetic individuals due to the common issue of poor circulation in the feet of those with diabetes.

Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are designed to counteract the oxygen deficiency in extremities by elevating the oxygen intake. Patients recline in a pressurized chamber for about 90-120 minutes, inhaling 200% oxygen. Most patients undergo this procedure 10-20 times, which expedites their wound healing by delivering essential oxygen to the body.

Expert Wound Care Providers at MVS Woundcare & Hyperbarics

MVS Wound Care and Hyperbarics takes pride in hosting some of Maryland’s most esteemed wound care specialists. All our wound care experts are carefully selected to align with our commitment to providing superior comfort and care to our patients.

Kindly contact us at info@mvswoundcare.com or call us at 410-433-4300 to schedule a consultation with a specialist at MVS Woundcare & Hyperbarics.