AHCPR Guideline: Clinical practice guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. The current "standard of care" for treatment of pressure ulcers. HMC will always follow AHCPR guidelines.

Debridement: Removal of dead tissue or callus to allow wound healing to occur.

Dressing: Bandages or other protective barriers placed onto a wound to protect the wound, absorb drainage, and speed healing. A Band-Aid would be an example of a dressing. There are many kinds of dressings available, and skill is needed to determine which dressing is best for each individual wound.

Edema: Chronic swelling of a body part.

Hydrotherapy: A common term for whirlpool treatment, or for treatments using water to cleanse wounds.

Osteomyelitis: "Bone infection," a serious complication of some deep wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers.

Pulsatile Lavage: A specialized type of wound cleansing using a hand-held unit. Much more comfortable and easier on the patient than traditional whirlpool treatments.

Ulcer: Open sore, wound.

Wound Care Program
If you have a non-healing wound, and have been treating it at home without success, don't wait another day. Let the professionals at Health Motivation Center assess your wound (under your doctor's order,) and start you down the road to healing and recovery!

Types of Wounds Treated
Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Patients with diabetes tend to have a higher susceptibility to open wounds, due to a variety of factors: diminished arterial blood supply, poor or absent sensation, and occasionally, foot deformities. These wounds are usually found over bony prominences of the feet and lower legs, especially in areas that are under pressure due to tight-fitting or ill-fitting shoes. Often, these wounds will be round, and surrounded by callus due to the pressure around them. This callus usually needs to be debrided (removed) to prevent further skin breakdown. These wounds can become quite deep, extending into the bone, leading to osteomyelitis (bone infection). Amputation can be the final result, leading to disability.

If properly treated, these wounds do not have to lead to disaster. At HMC, our therapists have many years of experience treating these types of wounds. We use the latest treatment modalities, such as pulsatile lavage, to clean the wound and allow healing to occur. Our therapists are up-to-date with the latest topical medications which may help your wound. We always follow your physician's recommendation, and follow AHCPR guidelines for wound care.

Just as important as treating the existing wound is learning how to prevent future wounds. Our therapists pride themselves on education, teaching patients how to prevent future problems. Written, oral, and videotaped information is available. Our Registered Dietitian will closely work with our patients to provide education in proper diet and blood sugar control. We work closely with local orthotists and podiatrists to address foot deformity and special footwear needs.

Wounds due to Trauma: We have treated wounds due to falls, animal bites, and other types of trauma. If you have had an injury which is resistant to heal, or has become infected, your doctor may refer you for wound care. Proper and appropriate wound care, in combination with appropriate nutritional and (if needed) antibiotic support, can help to heal wounds due to trauma.

Venous Stasis Ulcers: These wounds are caused by pooling blood in the lower legs, due to poor venous circulation. Wounds of this type tend to be very chronic and quite painful, and are characteristically difficult to heal. Additionally, patients with this problem tend to suffer from a large amount of edema (chronic swelling,) which must be brought under control before healing will occur. At HMC, we will use the latest technology, such as Smith and Nephew's Profore System, to ensure that adequate compression is provided to manage this edema.