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Writer's pictureDavid Barber

Healing Difficult Leg and Foot Wounds

Updated: Apr 11, 2023

Wound care is difficult! Let me explain to you my thoughts on how I'm able to heal wounds that are difficult to heal.

Wound "Memory"

Our bodies are truly remarkable, but unfortunately they can also be our own worst enemy. When a wound persists for an extended period of time, the body may begin to neglect it. The body communicates with the wound using special messages called "cytokines," but when the wound lingers, the signals become less effective or even dysfunctional. This is because the body assumes that everything is fine, when in reality it is not.


What is considered the "standard" for wound treatment?

Standard wound treatment includes "debridement" where old tissue is cut away and healthy tissue is left alone. This may seem very intense or barbaric, but this is a very effective way to "reset" the wound and give the wound the healing signals it needs to heal up. Dressings are also part of standard wound care to keep them clean. It should be noted that wounds with blood flow problems should not be debrided unless infected because the


What are considered "difficult wounds" for the leg and foot?

Every physician has different ways of classifying a difficult wound. For me, the ones that seem to cause the most trouble are "sensate" wounds that a patient can feel. Other wounds such as blood flow or wound open for longer than 6 months I would consider more difficult wounds.


How to you approach fixing these wounds?

Currently, I use wound care treatments that go above and beyond what is commonly used in the DFW area. If my treatments don't work, the only options left are a significant surgery to make a "flap" or amputation. I am confident that my treatments are just as effective as those used by the top wound care specialists in the country because I use:

  • Ultrasound debridement - I use the best ultrasound debridement machine called the Arobello. It removes dead tissue and helps the wound heal better without touching it.


  • Skin grafts - These are special biologics that help the wound heal faster.


  • Topical oxygen - I think topical oxygen is one of the best treatment for wounds. It's better than other treatments because nothing wakes up a wound more than oxygen. When the tissue under the wound gets oxygen, it sends a message to the body to heal the wound. This helps when a wound needs oxygen and there are problems with blood flow.


I also consider other things like keeping the wound moist, choosing the right dressing, pressure relief, x-ray monitoring of the bone, and more.


Final Thoughts

I hope this gives you a clearer understanding of my wound care methods. I always tell my patients that it's not a matter of if its a matter of when a wound will become infected - sometimes the infections are small and only need some antibiotics, but sometimes the infections can be life threatening and require hospitalization. It's not worth the risk - my goal is for wounds to heal immediately with the best options available. It's when I would want for my family - so that's why I offer this to yours.


Lastly, I want to clarify that not all treatments are covered by all insurance plans. These treatments can be expensive, but I consider them to be the best available. Wound care take time and dedication but


Additionally, I now offer mobile wound care services that bring these treatments directly to you or your loved ones at home.



Questions or comments? Leave a message below!




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