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Wound Debridement

Diabetic Foot and Wound Center -  - Wound Care Specialist

Diabetic Foot and Wound Center

Wound Care Specialists & Podiatrists located in Bakersfield, CA

If you have a chronic wound that’s at risk of infection, wound debridement can encourage healthy tissue growth, minimize scarring, and reduce complications. At Diabetic Foot and Wound Center in Bakersfield, California and the wound care specialist team offer several types of wound debridement. To schedule an appointment, call the office or book a consultation online today. Walk-ins are also welcome seven days a week.

Wound Debridement Q & A

What is wound debridement?

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Wound debridement is a quick, outpatient procedure used to remove dead or infected tissue around a slow-healing or chronic skin ulcer. In some cases, its use is to remove a foreign object from a piece of tissue.

Wound debridement is especially beneficial for wounds trapped in the first stage of healing. Removing infected or dying tissue from around an open wound spurs your body’s natural healing process. Additionally, wound debridement minimizes scarring and lowers your risk of gangrene or the need for amputation.

What are the different types of wound debridement?

Diabetic Foot and Wound Center offers several types of wound debridement, including:

Surgical debridement

Surgical debridement uses tools such as scalpels, curettes, and scissors to cut off dead or unhealthy tissue. This type of debridement usually requires anesthesia. Because of this, it usually isn’t the team’s first choice.

Mechanical debridement

Mechanical debridement uses monofilament debridement pads, hydrotherapy, or a wet-to-dry dressing to carefully eliminate dead or dying tissue. Mechanical debridement is safe for both infected and non-infected wounds.

Enzymatic debridement

Enzymatic or chemical debridement uses an ointment or gel that contains enzymes to soften your unhealthy tissue. You apply the ointment twice a day and wrap it in gauze. Over time, the enzymes eat away at your skin, causing it to peel. This type of debridement is ideal for people with bleeding problems.

Autolytic debridement

Autolytic debridement is similar to enzymatic debridement. The only difference is that it uses your body’s enzymes and natural fluids to soften infected or dying tissue. Each day, you apply a moisture-retaining dressing to your skin. As moisture accumulates, your old tissue swells and separates from the wound.

Ultrasonic debridement

Ultrasonic debridement uses low-intensity, pulsed ultrasound waves to remove dead or dying tissue, and promote healing. The non-thermal energy that ultrasonic debridement creates promotes the release of growth factors and stem cells. These growth factors trigger the production of healthy skin and tissue.

Maggot therapy

Maggot therapy uses sterile maggots to eat away at your dead, dying, or infected tissue. The maggots eat harmful bacteria and release an antibacterial substance that prompts healing.

What type of wound debridement is right for me?

The type of wound debridement that’s right for you depends on several factors, including your age, overall health, risk of complications, and the size of your wound.

Following a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and a discussion of your symptoms and lifestyle, your Diabetic Foot and Wound Center provider can develop a custom care plan that aligns with your needs.

To schedule a wound debridement appointment at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center, call the office, book a consultation online today, or walk-in for care.