Both wounds and ulcers refer to a break or disruption in the skin. The main differences between them relate to how long they’ve been present and what caused them. For healing and treatment purposes, these terms can be used interchangeably. Today, most skin breaks are simply referred to as wounds. Minor wounds aren’t usually serious, but you must clean and disinfect them after the incident. Keep them clean and properly protected with appropriate dressings while healing to prevent infections. Most minor wounds heal over several days or weeks. Wound symptoms may include bleeding, swelling and tenderness, but if they subside in a few days, the wound is on its way to healing.

Certain conditions — such as poor circulation, diabetes, surgical injury, constant pressure on bony areas, or infections of the skin or deeper tissues — can cause wounds that don’t heal with ordinary treatment. These are considered chronic or non-healing wounds. If your wound doesn’t heal properly after several days, seek professional wound care at Wound Edge Clinic in Brooklyn.

Twenty-five percent of American families have someone with a non-healing wound. In total, about seven million Americans live with a chronic wound, including two million who suffer from diabetic foot ulcers. They’re so common that if you know someone with diabetes, you probably know someone with a non-healing wound.

But there is hope. Take the first step toward a full recovery by seeking prompt medical attention, since early detection and care make a big difference in your outcome. The team at Wound Edge Clinic  concentrates only on those who have wound-healing needs. This puts our focus on those who need our wound expertise. Benefits of choosing our clinic for wound care include:

• We give you the highest quality treatment plans and outcomes for slow-healing and non-healing wounds.
• We specialize in a comprehensive approach to treating persistent, slow-healing wounds.
• Dr. Roman Zinder, our lead physician, applies proven, standard of wound care practices and advanced clinical approaches.

Anyone may end up with a non-healing wound or a wound that doesn’t heal quickly. Some health factors, however, put you into a higher-risk category. You may be more susceptible to suffering from complicated wounds if you:

• Have a suppressed immune system
• Suffer from diabetes mellitus 
• Have poor circulation
• Smoke cigarettes
• Are obese
• Eat a nutrition-poor diet
• Are immobile or bedridden
• Abuse drugs or alcohol

If you have a chronic disease — such as diabetes, peripheral artery disease (PAD), coronary artery disease, COPD, chronic skin disorders, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — you’re at a higher risk of experiencing complex wounds that require specialized wound care. If any of these conditions apply to you, seek a diagnosis and treatment for any wound that doesn’t heal properly. Our wound care team creates a customized treatment plan that takes into account your overall vascular health, risk factors, symptoms and physical assessment.

Timely treatment of non-healing wounds helps prevent serious health complications. If left untreated, wounds can develop severe infections that may threaten a limb or even your life. Don’t wait!!! If your wound hasn’t improved in 7–10 days, consult a wound-care specialist promptly. After a wound care professional like Dr. Zinder assesses your wound, he develops a customized wound management plan using the most effective approaches, such as:

• In-office wound debridement, which removes any necrotic tissue
• Specialized wound dressings 
• In-office wound dressing changes
• Topical therapies
• Antibiotics, if an infection is present
• Compression garments and wraps
• Pressure off-loading devices and footwear
• Prosthetics and orthotics
• Advanced wound care modalities, such as a total contact cast, cellular or tissue-based products 
• Patient and family education
• Home health referrals
• Nutrition counseling
• Referral for pain management and physical therapy
• Referral for podiatry or vascular surgery consultations

At Wound Edge Clinic, you receive a thorough diagnostic exam to identify the type of wound and its underlying causes. After diagnosing the cause of your wound, our team then develops the most targeted treatment plan. Pressure, diabetic foot, and venous leg ulcers require ongoing care, frequent follow-ups, and close monitoring, which you get at our clinic.

To schedule a consultation, call 347-669-3535 or contact us online. The sooner, the better to receive timely medical attention. On the day of your initial appointment, bring with you:

• Your medical history and family medical history, as much as you know, especially if you’re diabetic
• A history of your current wound, including when you first noticed it, your pain levels and whether your symptoms have become worse
• A list of all your current medications
• Your insurance card and related information 

Make sure you show up 15 minutes early for your appointment so you have time to complete any new patient paperwork. You find the office in Brooklyn at 2279 Coney Island Avenue, 2nd Floor. Our staff makes sure you’re comfortable, as you’re the center of our attention.

Your initial appointment consists of a full assessment to determine the cause of your wound, its appropriate classification and size, and your overall health status. Wound size, depth and photograph are documented during this visit and again at each subsequent visit for comparison. Our team may also assess your ability to comply with the recommended therapies, based on your lifestyle and current physical and mental aptitude.

Based on this evaluation, Dr. Zinder develops a customized treatment plan with therapies that are best suited to address your needs. Then he implements the program that’s specifically tailored to you and takes advantage of the most effective treatment options. At Wound Edge Clinic, we use an interdisciplinary approach to provide the safest, quickest and most effective healing possible.

Specialized wound care is administered on an outpatient basis. Most patients attend appointments weekly to maximize their healing outcome. To care for your wound at home, follow six steps that include:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Use surgical gloves, which you can find at your local pharmacy.
3. Remove the old dressing, lifting it carefully away from the wound.
4. Clean the wound, using a circular motion from the center. Pat the area dry.
5. Place a new dressing over the wound to cover it entirely.
6. Use approved medical tape to secure the dressing in place.