Saving a Limb Through Advanced Wound Care

 
Case Overview:
A 67-year-old male with a complex medical history, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, presented with complications following the amputation of his left fifth toe due to osteomyelitis. A month later, he was rehospitalized with post-operative infection signs, including fever, chills, and gangrene. Over the course of 7 months, the Vital Wound Care team implemented advanced treatments that successfully prevented further amputation and preserved the patient’s limb.

Challenges:
Primary Cause:
Osteomyelitis led to the initial amputation.
‍Post-Operative Complications: Severe infection andgangrene, exacerbated by:
     - Impaired blood flow from atherosclerosis.
     - Poor healing due to diabetes.
‍Contributing Factors: Chronic health conditions, including hypertension and hyperlipidemia, further compromised vascular healthand immune response. 
Treatment Approach:
‍The Vital Wound Care team implemented advanced andmultidisciplinary interventions, including:
   1. Advanced Wound Care Modalities:        
          - UltraMist Therapy: Stimulated tissueregeneration and healing with non-contact ultrasound.        
          - Wound VAC Therapy: Used negative pressure toenhance tissue growth, manage wound exudate, and           reduce infection risk. 
     2. Medication Management:        
          - Insulin for glycemic control.      
          - Aspirin to improve blood flow and reduce clotrisk. 
     3. Aggressive Debridement: Removal of infectedtissue to halt the progression of gangrene.
     4. Patient Education: Guidance on diabetic footcare and self-management to prevent future complications.
     5. Team Collaboration: Coordinated efforts withendocrinology, vascular surgery, and wound care specialists           to optimize vascular health and infection control.

Clinical Outcome:

‍‍

Before                                                                               After

- Infection was controlled, and gangrene progression was halted.     
- The patient experienced a 40% faster healingrate due to advanced therapies.        
- Most importantly, further amputation wasprevented, preserving the patient's limb and improving their overall quality of life.

Conclusion:
‍This case highlights the importance of prompt, advanced wound care and multidisciplinary collaboration. At Vital Wound Care, we are committed to preserving lives and limbs with tailored treatments that deliver impactful outcomes.