Wound Care

The Vascular Institute of Chattanooga’s mission is to diagnose and treat vascular disease – the common cause of non-healing wounds. Our wound care program allows us to provide a full suite of services to patients while they are in our care for treatment of their vascular, arterial, or venous insufficiency.

Extremity Wound Care

The benefits of the VIC extremity wound care program are optimized healing times, infection control, scar reduction, and an individualized plan for each patient. The VIC wound care team has certified

PAD

wound care specialists. We evaluate, diagnose, and treat the underlying cause of wounds for patients at all VIC locations.

Causes of Non-Healing Wounds

Arterial Insufficiency, Venous Insufficiency, Chronic Infection, Bio-Mechanical Condition, and Poor Nutrition

Risk Factors of Non-Healing Wounds

Non-healing wounds can be a symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Risk factors for PAD include diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, chronic smoking, hypercholesterol state, and advanced age. Other risk factors for non-healing wounds include Deep Vein Thrombosis and varicose veins. If you have a draining, expanding, or painful wound that is not healing, contact the VIC team to schedule an appointment.

Diagnosis of Non-Healing Wounds

The wound is the symptom or problem the patient deals with, but the underlying cause of the wound needs to be discovered and treated to be successful for wound care. The VIC intake process, history and physical with our provider team, and appropriate ultrasound testing can lead to the diagnosis – the first step to healing.

Treatment for Non-Healing Wounds

Treating the underlying diagnosis for the cause of the non-healing wound is the first step to closing a wound. The second step, of course, is excellent wound care.

Prevention of Non-Healing Wounds

Prevention of recurrence of a chronic wound is critical for long-term health after the wound has closed. This is an individualized discussion and process.

Progression of Non-Healing Wounds

Disease progression is the feared outcome with PAD and a chronic non-healing wound and can lead to partial foot amputation, leg amputation, hospitalization, sepsis, and possible death. In patients with venous disease, limb loss is very rare, but hospitalization can occur with cellulitis (skin infection), chronic draining malodorous painful wounds that affect daily life, work, and social engagement.

Wound Care

Wound Care

Extremity Wound Care

Causes of Non-Healing Wounds

Risk Factors of Non-Healing Wounds

Diagnosis of Non-Healing Wounds

Treatment for Non-Healing Wounds

Prevention of Non-Healing Wounds

Progression of Non-Healing Wounds

You have a choice when it comes to vascular care. Get an appointment at VIC in 3 to 5 days - without a referral!

You have a choice when it comes to vascular care. Get an appointment at VIC in 3 to 5 days - without a referral!

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November

November is Diabetes Awareness Month!