Wound Care
Skin Substitute Regeneration
For patients with chronic or non-healing foot wounds, skin substitute regeneration (commonly known as skin grafts) offers an advanced treatment solution to promote faster healing and reduce the risk of complications. Skin grafts are used to cover large or deep wounds, providing a protective barrier and stimulating the body’s natural healing processes.
At Sheehy Ankle & Foot Center, we specialize in this cutting-edge therapy to help patients with diabetic wounds, traumatic injuries, and other foot conditions achieve better outcomes and quicker recovery.
Skin substitute regeneration, or skin grafting, involves the application of bioengineered skin substitutes or grafts to a wound. These grafts serve as a temporary or permanent covering, protecting the wound while encouraging new tissue growth.
Unlike traditional skin grafts that use a patient’s own skin, these substitutes are often made from natural or synthetic materials that mimic human skin. They help create an optimal environment for healing by reducing infection risks, managing moisture, and promoting the formation of healthy tissue.
- Accelerates healing for chronic or slow-to-heal wounds.
- Reduces the risk of infection by providing a protective barrier over the wound.
- Encourages the growth of new tissue to close the wound.
- Minimizes scarring by promoting healthy, even skin growth.
Wounds that don’t heal properly, such as diabetic foot ulcers or surgical wounds, can lead to serious complications, including infection, tissue damage, or even amputation. Skin substitute regeneration addresses these issues by providing the wound with the necessary structure to heal. The graft acts as both a covering and a scaffold, allowing new cells to develop, closing the wound, and preventing further damage. This treatment is particularly beneficial for patients whose wounds haven’t responded to conventional therapies.
At Sheehy Ankle & Foot Center, we use a variety of skin substitute materials to match the specific needs of each patient. The type of graft chosen will depend on the wound’s location, size, and severity, as well as the patient’s overall health.
- What They Are: Made from human or animal tissue, biological skin substitutes closely mimic natural human skin and are absorbed by the body as the wound heals.
- When They’re Used: These grafts are ideal for large, deep wounds or wounds that require long-term protection and healing.
- What They Are: These grafts are made from synthetic materials designed to imitate the structure and function of skin. They provide temporary protection while encouraging tissue regeneration.
- When They’re Used: Synthetic substitutes are often used for short-term coverage and healing of moderate wounds.
- What They Are: A combination of biological and synthetic materials, these grafts offer both the strength of synthetic materials and the healing properties of biological tissue.
- When They’re Used: Composite grafts are versatile and can be used in both short-term and long-term healing scenarios.
Our team at Sheehy Ankle & Foot Center provides personalized skin substitute treatments to ensure the best possible results for each patient. Here’s what you can expect during the grafting process:
Step 1:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: We begin by thoroughly assessing your wound, including its size, depth, and level of infection or tissue damage. This allows us to determine the best type of skin substitute for your needs.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Once your wound has been evaluated, we’ll create a customized treatment plan.
Step 2:
- Preparing the Wound: The wound will be cleaned, and any dead or infected tissue will be removed to ensure optimal conditions for healing.
- Applying the Graft: The chosen skin substitute is carefully applied to the wound, covering the damaged area and creating a protective barrier.
- Securing the Graft: The graft is secured with specialized dressings, which help maintain the proper moisture balance and protect the area as the new tissue begins to grow.
Step 3:
- Ongoing Care: We’ll closely monitor the wound during follow-up appointments to ensure that the graft is successfully promoting healing and that no complications arise.
- Additional Treatments: Depending on the wound’s response to the graft, further treatments like wound vac therapy or additional graft applications may be recommended.
Skin grafts are especially beneficial for patients with:
Patients with diabetes often experience foot wounds that are slow to heal. Skin grafts provide the necessary structure to support healing and reduce the risk of infection or further complications.
Post-surgical wounds that are large or deep may benefit from skin substitute regeneration to speed up the healing process and minimize scarring.
Patients with large or severe wounds caused by trauma may require skin grafts to close the wound and promote tissue repair.
For patients with limited mobility, skin grafts can help heal deep pressure ulcers that haven’t responded to other treatments.
At Sheehy Ankle & Foot Center, we are committed to helping our patients heal faster with state-of-the-art wound care treatments, including skin substitute regeneration. Whether you’re dealing with a diabetic foot ulcer, a surgical wound, or a traumatic injury, we are here to guide you through the healing process with personalized care and the latest advancements in skin graft technology.
Take the first step toward recovery — schedule your consultation for skin substitute regeneration today.
