Complex Wound Care

Complex wound care provides a safe, effective way to treat diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, and other slow-healing wounds that don’t improve with conservative care. Complex wound care uses cutting-edge treatments to prevent infection and speed healing. At Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, the vascular surgeons and wound care specialists provide complex wound care to adults. Call the office in McAllen or Rio Grande City, Texas, to schedule a complex wound care appointment, or book your visit online today.

What is complex wound care?

Complex wound care is a wound care subspecialty that diagnoses and treats slow-healing wounds at risk of infection. Although any wound can become infected, it’s more likely if the injury doesn’t heal within four weeks.

Complex wounds cause extensive damage to each skin layer. They require daily cleaning and care to promote healing and prevent infection.

Am I a candidate for complex wound care?

Consider complex wound care at Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, if you have:

• Diabetic ulcers on your legs or feet
• Pressure wounds caused by prolonged immobilization
• Slow-healing surgical wounds
• Venous or arterial ulcers caused by poor circulation

Sometimes, the team uses complex wound care to treat moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) caused by incontinence-associated dermatitis (prolonged exposure to urine or stool) and peristomal dermatitis (prolonged exposure to drainage from a digestive stoma or fistula).

What happens during a complex wound care appointment?

The Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, team tailors complex wound care to each person’s needs. However, most visits include the following steps:

Step one — medical history review

Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your wound, including when you first noticed it, and if you have any health problems, like diabetes or venous insufficiency, that might make it worse.

Step two — physical exam

Your provider examines the wound, determining its size, location, and appearance. They also check for signs of infection, such as drainage and discoloration.

Step three — diagnostic screenings

Your provider orders diagnostic tests if a visual exam doesn’t provide enough information. For example, they might collect a skin sample (biopsy) and send it to a lab for analysis if signs of infection are present. Your provider might order diagnostic imaging like X-rays or an ultrasound to see if the wound extends beneath the skin.

Step four — Treatment

After gathering a complete picture of your complex wound, the team develops a treatment plan. They might suggest:

• Prescription pain medication to reduce discomfort
• Cleaning the wound to prevent infection
• Wound debridement (removal of dead or diseased tissue)
• Prescription antibiotics or antifungal medication
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy to speed healing
• Physical or occupational therapy to restore mobility
• Advanced wound dressings to speed healing
• Skin graft surgery

Most complex wounds benefit from several treatments. The team monitors your progress regularly and makes adjustments as needed.

Call the nearest Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, office to schedule complex wound care, or book your appointment online today.