What happens if a wound is left untreated?

The Wound Center at Saint Agnes Hospital was developed to make sure that your wound does not become a larger issue. The smallest wound can become a big problem and seriously alter your quality of life if you don’t seek out proper care. It may even lead to amputation or death. Untreated wounds can result in the following dangers:

• Arterial insufficiency - This occurs when there’s not enough blood flowing to your arteries.
• Venous insufficiency - This happens when the veins aren’t carrying enough blood from your legs to your heart.
• Chronic infection - Here, bacteria attaches to your wound and prevents it from healing.
• Neuropathy - This form of nerve damage can cause numbness, pain or loss of feeling among other dangers.
• Lymphatic insufficiency - This happens when fluid builds up and causes swelling, sometimes severe.

Wound Treatment

The wound care specialists at Saint Agnes include endocrinologists, physical therapists, nurses, plastic surgeons and podiatrists with experience in total contact casting, a process to treat foot ulcers. Working with your primary care physician, your team will come up with an individualized management plan just for you.

Some common wound management options include:

• Debridement - This management process involves the removal of unhealthy tissue around the wound site to encourage healing.
• Antibiotic treatment - Antibiotics battle infection, but it’s important to see your wound care specialist for just the right kind of antibiotic treatment.

Sometimes, your wound care treatment may be enhanced with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This process may help your wound to heal faster.

More Information

Have questions or want more information? Give us a call at 410-368-2700.

The Comprehensive Wound Healing Center is located at 3421 Benson Ave., Suite 210, Baltimore, MD 21227.