Lower Extremity Wound Care Center at Artisan Foot and Ankle

No matter what your lower extremity wound is, our Wound Care Specialists can help in a proper and timely manner. We have offices across Orange County in Newport Beach, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, and San Clemente, CA (and Placentia coming soon!). Don’t wait for your wound to worsen – contact us today!

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Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists proudly offers lower extremity wound care to our patients!

We Specialize in Lower Extremity Wound Care

Our experts know that timely and effective treatment for any chronic, non-healing wounds or ulcers is imperative to avoiding amputation or gangrene. As such, we use state-of-the-art technology (including in office bioengineered grafts) and cutting-edge techniques to employ an innovative focus to heal wounds and prevent recurrence and gangrene. We treat many variations of wounds, including:
  • Diabetic ulcerations
  • Neuropathic ulcerations
  • Venous insufficiency ulcerations
  • Pressure ulcerations
  • Arterial/ischemic ulcerations
  • Traumatically induced ulcerations
  • Post-surgical/biopsy wounds
wound care

Facts about Diabetic Wound Care

  • Approximately 15 percent of diabetics will develop a foot ulcer during their lifetime, which can evolve to be limb- and life-threatening if left untreated.
  • About half of those with diabetic foot ulcers will be hospitalized due to an infection or ulcer-related complication.
  • Diabetics should wear socks if their feet are cold. Anything with direct heat – such as heating pads, electric blankets, hot water bottles, or even hot baths – should be avoided. With the loss of sensation in the feet, anything with direct heat can lead to burns.
  • A diabetic ulcer that doesn’t heal causes severe damage to the tissue and bone.
  • If a wound is not discovered and treated quickly, the patient’s risk for lower extremity limb loss – also known as below-the-knee amputation – greatly increases.

I really enjoy and take pride in treating wounds. I previously received a special certification as a wound care specialist and received extensive training in all aspects of wound care. I also continuously keep up to date with the latest and greatest advances by attending workshops and seminars.

Dr. Kyle Hehe, Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists
Kyle Hehe, DPM

FAQs

It depends on the type of wound or ulceration. Neuropathic ulcerations are wounds caused from nerve damage. Venous ulcerations are from pooling varicose veins. Arterial ulcerations are a result of poor blood flow. Ulcerations can also be caused by traumatic events or more rarely, from pressure from wearing improper footwear.
Signs of infection include increased redness, swelling, warmth, pus or drainage, foul odor, and increased pain around the wound. If you experience any of these symptoms from a wound, contact your podiatrist immediately. Wounds that aren’t treated can quickly become infected and will likely require amputation.
To avoid infection and the risk of amputation, you must see a healthcare provider. They will remove any dead skin tissue (debridement) and recommend either topical antiseptics, compression treatment, and/or antibiotics to promote healing. In more severe cases, they will recommend more advanced treatment options.
Preventative measures include wearing well-fitting shoes, getting fit for custom orthotics, managing chronic conditions like diabetes, and avoiding prolonged pressure on the skin. Additionally, you should check your feet regularly for any changes and keep regular appointments with your podiatrist.
Those who have diabetes, are obese, have poor circulation, have limited immobility, smoke (or have smoked in the past), or are at an advanced age are most at risk.
Seek professional care if the wound is not healing, shows signs of infection, is very painful, or if you have underlying health conditions like diabetes. Wounds that aren’t treated can quickly become infected and can lead to amputation.
One-third of diabetics will have a foot ulcer in their lifetime. To avoid wounds becoming infected or worse, amputation, diabetics should check their feet daily or have a loved one check. Additionally, strict blood sugar control is crucial for diabetics, as high blood sugar levels can impede the healing process and increase the risk of infection.

Before and After Surgery

Our providers have extensive experience treating severe wounds. Click and drag the arrows on the images below to see before and after pictures of wounds treated by our practice. Please note that they are graphic in nature. Captions include the starting diagnosis and the treatment applied by our team.
Before After

Left Foot Wound, Surgical Correction by Devon Glazer, DPM

Before After
Left Foot Heel Infection/Wound – Limb Salvage Surgical Correction by Devon Glazer, DPM
Before After
Left Foot Wound, Surgical Correction by Devon Glazer, DPM
Before After
Left Foot Wound and Charcot Deformity. Charcot Reconstruction and Wound Surgery by Devon Glazer, DPM
Before After

Right Foot – Limb Salvage Completed by Devon Glazer, DPM and Kyle Hehe, DPM

Why Choose Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists
for Lower Extremity Wound Care Treatment?

Our board-certified podiatrists are on staff at hospitals within both the Providence and Memorial Care systems and are routinely consulted for wound care and limb salvage at these institutions. We are diligent experts in our field, and we know that a timely treatment plan is essential – especially for diabetics.

Our approach to wound care begins with a thorough medical history review and physical exam to determine the type of ulceration. Depending on the severity and type of wound, we may also recommend microbiological studies, ultrasounds, X-rays, MRIs, or bone biopsies. These help us determine if there is an infection as well as your circulatory status. Once we have diagnosed the wound and its severity, we will determine an individualized treatment plan for you.

We’ve helped others – we can help you!

Your x-ray shows no major fractures, youll recover pretty quickly

Our Approach to Treating Wounds

There are different treatment methods depending on the type of wound. Our board-certified podiatrists across Orange County have the expertise and experience to treat all lower extremity wounds. Routine check-ups with us are always going to be in your best interest.

Whether you have an ulcer or a diabetic wound, all treatments include removing any damaged or dead tissue. This process is called debridement, and you may need weekly or biweekly sessions to keep the wound clean. Once healed, we may fit you for a brace or orthotics to keep the wound site offloaded.

We also offer advanced treatments as well, such as:

  • Bioengineered graft material
  • Compression dressings to reduce edema
  • Ultrasound no touch debridement*
  • Corrective orthotics and braces to reduce pressure on the wound
  • Red light therapy
  • Surgery, if all else fails

*Ultrasound no touch debridement promotes healing by controlling inflammation, reducing bacteria in the wound bed, and encouraging angiogenesis. This technology increases perfusion through vasodilation, ultimately increasing oxygen and nutrients to the wound tissue.

Treating Diabetic Wounds

As diabetics often suffer from a loss of blood flow and lose sensation in their feet, they can develop sores on their feet without knowing it. This can lead to infection, gangrene, and even amputation. It is imperative to treat diabetic wounds as soon as possible to prevent the wound from spreading and infecting the area around it.

When you visit one of our board-certified podiatrists, they will clean the wound with water and remove any dead or damaged tissue. Antibiotic ointment may be applied depending on the severity of the wound. Your wound will then be dressed to keep the affected area clean and to prevent infection. We will also work with you on the basics of controlling your blood sugar and evaluate the blood flow in your feet.

In some instances, we may recommend durable medical equipment (DME), such as a knee scooter, crutches, or a wheelchair to reduce pressure to the wound site. This step can be helpful in preventing amputation.

Treating Ulcers

Ulcers are openings in the skin that often develop from the outside in, which can let in bacteria and lead to infection. Once an ulcer has broken through the skin, infections of the muscle or bone or blood poisoning are possible. It is vital that you contact a board-certified podiatrist if you have any indication of an ulcer. The sooner we diagnose your ulcer, the sooner we can begin implementing an effective treatment plan.

When you visit us, we will review the blood flow in your lower extremities. Good blood flow ensures that oxygen and healing enzymes are regrowing tissue and skin. We will also clean your wounds to remove any dead or damaged tissue, allowing healthy tissue to grow. A topical medication and dressings will be applied to help prevent infection. If your ulcer is severe, we will discuss the option of skin grafting.

Be Proactive with your Wound – Call Us Today!

Time is precious with a lower extremity wound. If caught early, we can treat most ulcers or wounds without the need for surgery or amputation.

Take proactive measures with your feet to avoid wounds:

  • Check your feet daily for any injuries,
  • Thoroughly wash and dry your feet each day,
  • Wear proper footwear,
  • Trim your toenails straight across or have a podiatrist do it.

Call us at (949) 272-0007 to make an appointment today!

Our Wound Care Experts

Devon Glazer, DPM

Devon N. Glazer, DPM, FACFAS, FABFAS

Devon Glazer, DPM, launched Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists in 2009, and today, he serves Orange County patients at the Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills, California, offices.
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Bahar Golshahi, DPM

Bahar Golshahi, DPM

Bahar Golshahi, DPM, provides the best foot and ankle care in the Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills, California, offices of Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists.
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Kyle Hehe, DPM

Kyle Hehe, DPM

Kyle Hehe, DPM, offers superior foot and ankle care at the Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills, California, offices of Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists.
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Sam Meyers, DPM

Sam Meyers, DPM

Sam Meyers, DPM, provides top-quality foot and ankle care at the two Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists offices in Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills, California.
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Sam Nosrati, DPM

Sam Nosrati, DPM

Sam Nosrati, DPM, delivers highly skilled and patient-focused podiatric medical care in the Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills, California, offices of Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists.
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Monte Schmalhaus, DPM

Monte Schmalhaus, DPM, AACFAS

Monte Schmalhaus, DPM offers advanced patient-focused foot and ankle care at Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists.
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