Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist) Questions Wounds And Injuries

My grandfather's wound is not healing. What should we do?

My grandfather has a wound at the bottom of his foot and it is oozing a lot and sometimes blood also. It happened last week and is showing no signs of improvement. What should we do about it? His doctor gave him antibiotics but they aren't helping.

25 Answers

Podiatrist(FootandAnkleSpecialist)WoundsAndInjuries
There are a multitude of factors that go into healing. Blood supply, other medical problems, medication that one is on and any infection in the wound are the more common issue that delay healing. The antibiotics won't heal the would. They make sure there is no bacteria in there so the body can heal itself. I would recommend seeing a podiatrist who can evaluate the circulation in the foot and any other issues that may be slowing up the healing process.
Wounds on the bottom of the foot can be very difficult. An antibiotic is definitely appropriate but wound care from a specialist with appropriate offloading, compression and debridement is key. I would get him seen by a podiatrist or a wound clinic.
He should probably be evaluated by someone who specializes in wound care, such as a podiatrist.
You should see a podiatrist soon. The keys to wound healing:
1. No infection
2. Make sure there is proper blood flow
3. Offloading of the area
4. Proper debridement and dressing of the wound

Antibiotics alone will probably not heal the area. wounds can heal very quickly or take years. There is a lot of new technology that will help such area Skin substitute grafts, Laser treatments, Ultramist therapy and Hyperbaric oxygen treatments. It is important to treat a wound ASAP so it does not become a chronic area that can develop infection leading to gangrene.
This would needs to be debriefed, cleanser and cultured. The proper antibiotic and foot foams need to be given. The foot should be off loaded and the vascular problems need to be evaluated.
Wound care could be very long and painful process. A lot of patience is required. The best way to approach it to turn to specialized wound care clinic where several doctor's specialists are present. Complex approach must be taken.
Wounds can occur for a number of reasons, most commonly being diabetes and poor circulation. That is why antibiotics are not enough sometimes. If the blood flow is poor or the antibiotics are not for the specific organism, the wound will not heal.
Your grandfather should be seen as soon as possible.

This is urgent to get checked by a podiatrist with wound care experience. This ulcer will progress and get worse if left untreated, and the infection may lead to infection in his blood and he may risk loosing his foot or life if it is not treated ASAP.
He must go to a wound care specialist. He probably suffers from diabetes.
Take him to a podiatrist immediately.

Kindest regards,

Kelly Murphy
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Best options at this point would be to follow up with a wound care podiatrist or to go to a wound care center. Systemic factors such as diabetes, auto-immune diseases, kidney diseases, venous insufficiency and age all can play a role in wound healing and contribute in the healing potential of his wound.

If the wound is not healing, it would be best to follow through with a wound care specialists to determine what other factors are playing a roll in your grandfather's chronic wound.
You can take your grandfather to a podiatrist near your home who can examine your grandfather's wound, take a culture, foot X-ray, or MRI and provide proper wound care.
You must check his circulation because, without adequate circulation, no wound will heal even with all the antibiotics. It should be cleaned properly and debrided. Since he was put on antibiotics, I hope a culture was taken. Circulation is most important for proper wound healing.
Was there any biopsy or culture taken from the wound to identify the organism that is causing the infection? If not then its very likely the reason why the antibiotics are ineffective. I would ask that doctor to perform wound culture or get a second opinion. wound care centers are usually better options for chronic wounds.
He should be treated at a wound care center
He should go to a wound care center for evaluation.
You need to go and see a podiatrist.
First, his Doctor should have done a culture to determine the right antibiotic. He needs x-rays of the foot to determine that an infection has not traveled to the bone. He also should do a vascular study to determine if he has enough blood flowing to the foot. Most importantly make an appointment with a Podiatrist that is certified in wound care.
Hello, I am sorry to hear about your grandfathers condition. It sounds like he has a plantar foot ulcer with signs of infection. Your grandfather should see a podiatrist immediately. His wound needs a through workup that would include an x-ray of the foot, a deep wound culture, debridement of the dead tissue in and around the wound and proper offloading of the wound either with a walking cast or walking boot at a minimum. If he is running a fever you should take him to the ED immediately. I wish you and your grandfather well. If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact my office. Thank you and God bless.
I was make an appointment to see a foot specialist or a wound care specialist to evaluate wound for x-rays and treatment.
Get him to a foot specialist. This sounds like a diabetic ulcer.
Go to E.R. or see a podiatrist. Could have none infection.
There are many reasons for a wound to fail to advance to appropriate healing. Globally, diabetes appears to be a significant factor regarding development of foot ulcerations and wounds and their ability to heal. The disease impacts multiple systems to include vascular, neurologic and immune mediated processes. Ongoing infection is a critical factor in wound healing failure. It requires appropriate medical management with topical or systemic antibiotics often dictated by appropriate cultures from the wound site. But medical management may be limited in resolving the process and surgical debridement of any nonhealing, devitalized tissue is also warranted when medical management does not produce adequate resolution. Inadequate blood flow can also be a factor as this is what provides appropriate oxygenation of tissue to advance the healing process and also to deliver necessary antibiotics if provided systemically. Wounds on the bottom of the foot are also exposed to significant mechanical stress load from daily walking and standing and appropriate pressure reduction is necessary to allow for advancement of healing. Plantar or wounds on the bottom of the foot are an extremely complicated presentation that required a wound care specialist frequently to address the specific needs and allow for timely healing and prevention of further infection, increase in wound size and greater complications. If there has not been an appropriate reduction of wound size and typically we suggest by at least 50% within 4 weeks with current management this warrants consideration of treatment modification and again I would recommend seeing a wound care specialist.