Wound Care

Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Mexico

Podiatrists & Foot and Ankle Surgeons located in Albuquerque, NM, Rio Rancho, NM, South Valley, NM, Edgewood, NM & Grants, NM

If you cut your foot while playing sports, stepped on something sharp while working, or developed a sore on your foot due to diabetes, you can benefit from wound care. The team of expert podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Mexico in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, South Valley, Edgewood, and Grants, New Mexico, proudly offers a number of wound care services to people of all ages. To request your wound care appointment today, call your nearest office or use the online scheduling tool.

Wound Care Q & A

What is wound care?

Wound care is a branch of medicine focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing wounds, infections, and foot ulcers.

A foot wound is damage to the skin and tissue, usually as a result of an injury. If it becomes a chronic wound and grows deeper into the foot, it can become an ulcer.

A foot ulcer is an open sore that doesn’t heal. It can be either internal or external and usually occurs on the tip of your toe or the sides or bottom of your foot.

Wound care uses safe, minimally invasive treatments to encourage your body’s natural healing process. Proper wound care also lowers your risk of infection, gangrene, and amputation.

What are some common causes of foot wounds?

Foot wounds can happen for a number of reasons. At Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Mexico, the team diagnoses and treats foot wounds caused by:

Poorly fitted shoes
Improper trimming of toenails
Nerve damage
Infections from ulcers
Poor circulation
Venous insufficiency
Diabetes

The team also treats foot wounds caused by dry skin, which can cause your feet to crack and increase your risk of calluses and corns.

What are some common types of foot wounds?

At Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Mexico, the team diagnoses and treats several common foot wounds, including:

Venous stasis ulcers

Venous stasis ulcers are the most common type of foot and leg wound, accounting for 80-90% of all leg ulcers. You’re especially at risk of a venous stasis ulcer if you have a history of blood clots or varicose veins.

Neurotrophic ulcers

Neurotrophic ulcers, also called diabetic ulcers, are caused by unmanaged diabetes. When your blood sugar levels remain too high for an extended period, it causes permanent nerve damage. When the nerves in your feet don’t work as they should, you’re more likely to get cuts, blisters, and calluses. These wounds can become infected and cause a slow-healing ulcer.

Arterial (ischemic) ulcers

If you have a circulatory disease like peripheral arterial disease, you’re also at risk of experiencing an arterial ulcer. Arterial ulcers are particularly common near the nail bed. Common causes include ingrown toenails and toenail fungus.

What does wound care treatment involve?

No two wound care treatment plans are exactly alike. Based on your individual symptoms and treatment goals, your podiatrist could recommend:

Antibiotics
Topical wound care
Foot braces
Compression garments
Custom made orthotics (shoe inserts)

For more serious wounds or infections, you may need surgery, but this is rarely the case.

To request a wound care appointment at Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Mexico today, call the office or use the online scheduling tool.