Wounds That Won’t Heal: When to See a Podiatrist

While the human body is strong and resilient, wounds are simply a part of life — and it’s impossible to avoid them all.

Many wounds heal on their own, but when a wound on your foot doesn’t heal properly, it’s important to take prompt action. Allowing foot wounds to linger without professional care can lead to serious outcomes, up to and including amputation or even early death from infection. 

At Capital Podiatry Associates, we help residents of Alexandria, Virginia, maintain optimal foot and ankle health. Many patients turn to Leland Gilmore, DPM, and Shalin Panchigar, DPM, for professional wound care. 

Let’s take a closer look at why foot wounds require such close attention. 

Foot wounds that don’t heal are often a sign of a serious condition

Your body has powerful, innate healing abilities and can repair many types of tissue damage. Healthy circulation is a big part of that process, as your blood transports oxygen and nutrients to all of the tissues in your body. 

Circulatory problems often lead to poor healing in your feet, due to the distance that blood needs to travel from your heart. Without that steady flow of oxygenated blood, a wound can’t heal normally. 

Circulation problems can develop for many reasons, such as:

Diabetes

Diabetes may cause both poor circulation and nerve damage. This is a dangerous combination, as some diabetics cannot feel small foot traumas, like stepping on something sharp or developing a blister or open sore. These seemingly minor injuries can quickly worsen into a critical health problem. 

Heart conditions

Heart conditions can also impact blood flow to the feet. Congestive heart failure and peripheral artery disease are just two examples of heart health problems that can cause slow healing in foot wounds. 

Taking early action is essential for foot wounds that won’t heal

Usually, healing progresses over time. While a foot wound might cause pain or swelling, tissue repair should occur over the course of a few days. If that doesn’t happen, or if your wound gets worse, it’s time to take action. 

Professional wound care assesses the tissue damage, removes any tissue that is interfering with healing, and cleans the wound area to reduce the risk of infection. 

Not all wounds are the same, and they don’t all require the same treatment. Some need bandaging while others don’t. Some respond best to a period of rest, while others benefit if you remain active. 

Knowing how to best care for a foot wound that isn’t healing is not always easy. It’s best to rely on a team of skilled medical professionals.  

Making foot care part of your ongoing health routine

The best way to avoid a negative outcome from a foot wound that won’t heal is to add foot care to your daily routine. This is especially true for people with diabetes or other conditions that affect circulation or nerve function. 

A daily foot check will reveal any signs of tissue damage that require care. Thoroughly washing, drying, and moisturizing your feet each day gives you a chance to fully examine the surface of both feet, increasing the chance of detecting tissue damage early. 

If a foot wound doesn’t show signs of healing within a few days, reach out to our team at Capital Podiatry Associates to book a visit. We’re happy to examine the wound and create a customized treatment plan. You can schedule a visit with a quick phone call or check out our easy online booking page, available around the clock.