Wound Care

Wound Care in Central Massachusetts 

The body’s healing process is remarkable. Most minor wounds get better on their own with time and little or no care. But that healing process doesn’t always work like it should.

Some wounds don’t heal, whether because of injury or certain health conditions. Specialized wound care services at UMass Memorial Health can help. We offer a personalized program managed by our plastic and reconstructive surgeons. We treat your wound, address underlying conditions affecting the healing process and prevent problems from coming back.

Types of Wounds We Treat

The types of wounds we treat at UMass Memorial include:

• Abdominal wounds: These wounds occur because of injuries, surgery or underlying medical conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease.
• Bed sores: Also called pressure ulcers, bed sores develop when pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin. People who are in bed or a wheelchair for long periods are most at risk.  
• Leg ulcers and sores: Poor circulation and medical conditions like varicose veins, obesity, lymphedema and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can contribute to leg wounds.
• Osteomyelitis: This bone infection occurs when bacteria enter an open wound.
• Skin infections: Certain conditions can cause skin infections, including diabetes, autoimmune disorders, kidney disease and liver disease. 

Who Needs Wound Care?

Wounds that don’t heal properly can cause discomfort or pain and serious infection. Wounds may not heal as they should for a variety of reasons, including:

• Advanced age: It can be harder for our bodies to heal as we age. Skin becomes thinner and we produce less collagen, a protein essential for healing.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels, hurting your body’s ability to fight infections.
• Poor circulation: Wounds need oxygen and nutrients from the blood to heal. Poor circulation hurts the healing process by reducing blood flow to the wounded area.
• Poor or inadequate nutrition: A lack of vitamins and nutrients can slow healing and increase the risk of infection.
• Vascular conditions: Vascular diseases like peripheral artery disease (PAD) reduce blood flow to the legs and other areas.

You may need wound care if a new wound has not started to heal in two weeks or if an existing wound has not healed completely in four to six weeks. Contact the Wound Center or your provider if you notice these symptoms:

• Blisters or black or brown dead tissue
• Drainage, redness or swelling
• Fever or chills
• Pain, tenderness or weakness
• Smelly wound
• Warm or red skin or a red streak spreading from the wound
• Wound that gets bigger

Additional Services We Offer

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an effective treatment for many hard-to-heal wounds, including those from burns, gangrene and infections. Hyperbaric therapy increases oxygen in the blood to promote healing and fight infection. This treatment is safe and proven to speed the healing process from the inside out.
• During oxygen therapy, you sit or lie down in the hyperbaric chamber. Inside the pressurized chamber, you breathe in 100% oxygen. This treatment quickly increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, which is then delivered to the wound for faster healing.
• Our hyperbaric oxygen chambers are clear, so you can see outside, and they contain televisions and comfortable bedding. You can even sleep during your treatment if you want.

Diabetes Support Services

• Many people with diabetes experience complications from wounds. Our support services include diabetes education to help you manage blood sugar levels and prevent complications. We also offer nutritional counseling and management to support your body as it heals.

Surgical Expertise

• Our surgeons use highly specialized microsurgery techniques to reattach blood vessels and nerves when we transfer skin tissue. We also collaborate with vascular and podiatric (foot) surgeons to provide comprehensive care for complex conditions.

Clinical Trials

• Clinical trials allow you access to the latest treatments before they’re widely available. Through our affiliation with UMass Chan Medical School, we offer clinical trials that test the latest wound treatments and surgical procedures.