Wound Care
Wounds that do not heal can keep you from the activities you enjoy. Within the Albany Med Health System, our team at Saratoga Hospital offers a Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Center. Glens Falls Hospital offers wound healing services in its Pruyn Pavilion. Pediatric wound care services are available at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center.
These programs provide advanced diagnostic and treatment options for problematic and non-healing wounds.
We typically sees wound patients with multiple conditions, including diabetes, poor circulation, nerve damage, and other concerns.
Many patients are often seeking relief from:
- Minor burns
- Delayed radiation skin injuries due to cancer treatments
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Pressure injuries (bed sores)
- Wounds associated with lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma (autoimmune disorders)
- Surgical wound reopening
- Venous leg ulcers (often caused by venous insufficiency, where blood flow is inadequate and causes blood to pool in the legs)
- Wound healing interventions, such as debridements, topical dressing and advanced treatment modalities such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Education
- Laboratory and other specialty tests
- Nutrition evaluation
- Coordination of care with other health care providers
- Physical therapy
- Pressure relief
- Prevention management
- Surgical intervention
Wounds That Don't Heal
A doctor should also be alerted if there’s a wound or sore that doesn’t heal.
Examples of this type of wound include:
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Venous stasis ulcers
- Arterial ulcers
- Wounds caused by circulatory problems
- Pressure sores
- Burns
- Non-healing surgical wounds
A wound that doesn’t heal is a particular risk for people with diabetes who may have developed nerve damage, known as peripheral neuropathy, and circulatory problems in their feet and legs. As a result, injuries to these areas may heal very slowly or not at all; in addition, diabetics may not even be aware of the fact that they have developed a cut or sore on their feet or legs. This can lead to infection and damage to tissue and bones if the infection spreads. In some cases, amputation may be necessary.
Monitor any cuts carefully and seek medical help if the cuts aren’t healing as they should.