Why Is Debridement Necessary for Wound Care?

Having a large, severe, or slow-healing wound on your foot can put you in grave danger, especially if you suffer from any illness or condition that may exacerbate the problem. As a result, wound care might be a necessary option for your safe recovery. 

But not everyone knows what wound care entails, nor why debridement is a necessary part of it. Debridement is a procedure that involves cleaning a wound and removing any dead, callused, and foreign material from it. 

Here at Southwest Foot & Ankle, in Scottsdale, Arizona, we take wound care very seriously. Our providers, Petrina C. Lewis, DPM, FACFAS, and Mark T. Lewis, DPM, FACFAS, offer a number of treatment options for our patients who require wound care, including debridement, as well as information about why these treatments are utilized. 

Why you might need wound care

Wound care for foot sores is usually necessary when your wound is unlikely to heal on its own or won’t heal quickly or safely. This is often the case with a large injury, a puncture, or a wound that’s already infected. Anyone with a bad enough wound could require this process. 

In addition, some individuals are more susceptible to developing these types of wounds. If you suffer from diabetes, for example, you could hurt your foot and, as a result of nerve damage, not notice it. This could lead to the proper care of your wound not being taken. Also, for those with diabetes, wounds on your feet don’t heal as quickly, which could make caring for them at home less effective. 

If you have nerve damage for another reason, you may also be a good candidate for wound care. There are many aspects to this treatment program, including but not limited to medication, stitches, PRP, custom orthotics, skin grafting, and yes, debridement. 

Why debridement is part of wound care 

Debridement may sound like a frightening process, but it isn’t as scary as you might think. Plus, it’s often a necessary part of wound care, especially for those with diabetic foot ulcers. 

For one, these ulcers are the cause of 84% of leg amputations in persons with diabetes. So, getting rid of the nonviable tissue — as well as any other debris — can go a long way toward saving your foot and leg. 

In addition, letting the tissue that’s no longer viable continue to linger will only slow down the growth of new, healthy tissue and make it harder for your foot to heal. This is true of those with diabetes as well as those who simply have a severe wound that isn’t healing quickly enough. 

Finally, debridement will help you avoid lots of pain down the road. Allowing us to determine which tissue is healthy and which isn’t and to remove anything that your foot no longer needs will ensure a much better outcome. 

Debridement can help save your foot

If you’re afraid your foot might have a severe wound, or if you have diabetes and even a small sore that won’t heal, this is your sign to seek help. 

To learn more, call Southwest Foot & Ankle at 480-900-7399 today to make an appointment or schedule online at your convenience.