The specialists at the Wound Healing Center at Premier Vascular Center of Maryland diagnose and treat individuals with ulcers or persistent wounds caused by diabetes, poor circulation and other conditions.
Our Board Certified physicians deliver comprehensive, personalized vascular wound treatment in Baltimore. After a thorough evaluation, we will work with you to devise a care plan tailored to your goals and needs.
We perform skin grafting surgery to cover damaged or lost skin and remove wounds through wound care debridement or excision.
A Wound Care Facility Trained in the Treatment of Chronic Wounds
At Premier Vascular Center of Maryland, we treat all kinds of chronic wounds, or non-healing ulcers, sores and cuts.
Chronic vascular wounds require specialized treatment. They develop when any acute injury fails to heal in a designated time frame, which can be up to six weeks in some cases.
An acute injury to living tissue occurs suddenly rather than over time. These wounds heal at an expected rate and can happen anywhere on the body. These injuries can vary from superficial scratches to deep wounds affecting muscles, nerves, blood vessels or other body parts.
Vascular Wound Treatment Services
Our team of vascular wound care specialists treats a wide range of chronic wounds or ulcers, including:
Pressure Wounds
Pressure wounds, also known as bedsores, pressure sores or pressure ulcers, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue. Anyone can get these injuries, but they are more likely to happen to those who use a wheelchair, are confined to a bed or sit for long periods because prolonged pressure on the skin causes pressure sores. Too much pressure reduces blood flow, which can cause the skin to die and a sore to form.
You are more likely to get a pressure wound if you:
- Are an older adult.
- Do not get enough nutrition.
- Have fragile skin.
- Cannot control your bowels or bladder.
- Have a condition that affects your mental state, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
- Have vascular disease, diabetes or another disease that affects blood flow.
- Cannot move parts of your body without assistance.
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Deep Vein Thrombosis Wounds
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a thrombus, or a blood clot, forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body.
These blood clots usually form in the legs and can cause leg swelling or leg pain. DVT can also occur symptom-free.
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Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that usually occur in the legs because walking and standing upright increases the pressure in the veins of your lower body.
Varicose veins may simply be a cosmetic concern or can cause movement problems and cramping pain. Treatment includes wearing a support hose to increase pressure on the vein, elevating the affected limb or surgery.
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Surgical Wounds
A surgical wound is an incision or cut in the skin generally made by a scalpel during surgery. These wounds vary significantly in size and can also be the result of a drain placed during surgery.
During surgical wound care or open wound care, these injuries are usually closed with sutures or stitches, but some may be left open to heal.
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Diabetic Wounds
Diabetes can raise your chances of getting ulcers for several reasons. Diabetes causes high blood sugar, which, over time, can damage your blood vessels and nerves. These damages lessen blood flow, especially in the limbs, feet and hands, making it harder for cuts and sores to heal and increasing the likelihood of infection. Diabetes is also linked to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition that lessens blood flow to your feet and legs.
If you notice a change in your skin or get an ulcer, tell your doctor immediately. You will likely need wound care debridement, a procedure meant to spur healing by removing unhealthy tissue from the wound.
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Infected Wounds
Infected wounds can be fungal, viral or bacterial, and occur when bacteria or other germs grow within a wound’s damaged tissue. Symptoms can include redness, swelling and increasing pain. More severe infections may cause fever, chills or nausea, or even lead to sepsis, a potentially deadly complication.
A physician will use special care to the affected area or antibiotics to treat the infected wound.
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Venous Wounds
Venous ulcers, or leg ulcers, are caused by varicose veins, DVT or venous insufficiency. Your body’s healing process naturally starts to close the wound when you suffer a scrape or cut, and the wound heals over time.
Venous wound care aims to alleviate edema of the ulcer site and keep it infection-free during the healing process.
Wound care debridement may be used to remove surface contamination and dead tissue, changing the wound from chronic to acute. At this point, the injury can progress through the regular healing stages. In some cases, a physician will use surgical skin grafts for abnormally painful or large venous ulcers to heal appropriately.
Arterial Wounds
Arterial ulcers, or ischemic ulcers, can occur from peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes or hypertension. These ulcers often form on the outer side of the toes, heels, feet or ankle. Characteristics or symptoms of an arterial wound can include:
- Leg pain at night
- Tight, hairless skin
- Deep lacerations
- Black, yellow or red sores
Arterial wound care consists of restoring blood circulation to the affected area. In addition to antibiotics, doctors may use surgery to restore blood flow to organs and tissues.
Make an Appointment for Wound Healing Care in Baltimore
To make an appointment with a vascular expert at Premier Vascular Center of Maryland, feel free to contact us online during regular business hours.