More than 5 million people in the United States suffer from chronic non-healing wounds. When an ulcer does develop, it is important to be treated at a wound care center that offers advanced treatments to heal wounds and prevent loss of limbs or life.

Ironically, even though wounds are one of the most common medical maladies—we see or hear about wounds on almost a daily basis, especially if we tune in to any radio or television news program—virtually no medical training program prepares physicians to treat complex or non-healing wounds.

Such non-healing wounds can be caused by a variety of events, diseases or complications associated with other health conditions. Trauma, surgeries, burns, diabetes, vascular disease, cancer or even extended bed rest all can result in open sores or ulcers. All of these are fertile ground for opportunistic bacterial infections like staph or strep, either of which can cause huge health problems if advanced wound care is not provided in a timely manner.

In addition to infections, untreated non-healing wounds can become progressively worse, affecting the patient’s overall health and ultimately leading to loss of limbs or even, in extreme cases, to loss of life itself.

When should patients seek treatment from an advanced wound care specialist? The general rule is that anyone with a wound that has not significantly improved or healed well within two weeks should ask their primary care provider for a referral to a certified wound care specialist.

Impaired blood flow can destroy skin tissue and lead to non-healing wounds such as decubitus ulcers, also known as pressure ulcers or bedsores. This is especially true for bedridden patients who cannot change positions easily. They—or their family members or caregivers—should never delay seeking help, because once tissue starts to break down, the results can be horrific.

Patients with diabetes often have slow-healing wounds and are especially prone to non-healing foot ulcers, due to poor circulation in their extremities. Therefore, diabetic patients in particular should not delay if foot ulcers develop. Half the amputations in the United States are due to infections related to diabetes.

The John C. Lincoln Advanced Wound Care Center uses a multi-disciplinary approach and coordinates care through physicians and nurses who are specially trained and certified as wound care specialists.

When a wound does not heal as expected with traditional treatment, a wound care specialist can provide advanced modalities for comprehensive wound management that will make a positive difference and expedite the healing process. Wound care centers are designed to provide effective care for chronic, non-healing wounds and wounds that have not responded to traditional care. They are staffed with professionals who have formal training in advanced wound care and specialize in wound management to prevent loss of limb or life.

Our wound management offers advance treatments, evaluating patients for circulation disorders, testing for infection, removal of damaged tissue, application of skin substitutes, use of sophisticated anti-bacterial medications and applying other healing products that are not normally available in other medical settings. We also offer compression dressings and total contact casting. When appropriate, our wound care specialists call upon surgeons, podiatrists and other specialists for their added expertise with each individual patient’s care and treatment.

Shishir Shah, DO, is Medical Director of John C. Lincoln’s Advanced Wound Care Center, 9225 N. 3rd St., Suite 103, just east of John C. Lincoln–North Mountain Hospital. Dr. Shah, a Certified Wound Specialist, can be reached at 602-870-6055. More information is available at www.JCL.com/woundcare.