For Immediate Release
HSHS St. Anthony’s Wound Healing Center Raises Awareness of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Recurrence
(EFFINGHAM, IL) – The Wound Healing Center at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, a member of the Healogics network, is participating in Healogics’ National Diabetes Campaign from October 29 to November 2. HSHS St. Anthony’s Wound Healing Center offers advanced therapies to patients suffering from chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers. Team members across the nation will dedicate the entire week to visiting local physician offices to provide education on the treatment of potential or existing chronic wounds for people living with diabetes.
An estimated 30.3 million people in the United States (9.4 percent of the population) have diabetes, including 7.2 million who are unaware they are living with the disease. The percentage of adults with diabetes increases with age, reaching a high of 25.2 percent among those aged 65 years or older. In addition to age, risk factors for diabetes include diet, activity level, obesity and heredity. High blood sugar levels, poor circulation, immune systems issues, nerve damage and infection may contribute to a diabetic foot ulcer.
With America’s diabetic population expected to nearly double by 2030, it is important that people understand the risks and know the facts associated with diabetic foot ulcers. Approximately 25 percent of people living with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer. As many as 40 percent of people with a healed diabetic foot ulcer will develop a new ulcer within a year. An estimated 14 to 24 percent of people with foot ulcers will experience an amputation. An amputation results in decreased quality of life, increased medical costs and a significantly higher risk of mortality. The five-year mortality rate following a lower extremity amputation is 50 percent.
Early detection and intervention can help to mitigate the possibility of limb loss. “Predominantly our patient population at the Wound Healing Center has diabetes. The earlier a wound is found and medical help is received, the better the outcome,” shared Jeff Brummer, DO, medical director of the Wound Healing Center.
The HSHS St. Anthony’s Wound Healing Center recommends the following to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers:
- Stop smoking immediately.
- Comprehensive foot examinations each time you visit your health care provider (at least four times a year).
- Daily self-inspections of the feet, or have a family member perform the inspection.
- Regular care of the feet including cleaning toenails and taking care of corns and calluses.
- Choose supportive, proper footwear (shoes and socks).
- Take steps to improve circulation such as eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis.
Proper wound care is imperative to healing diabetic foot ulcers. HSHS Wound Healing Center offers a number of leading-edge treatments including Total Contact Casting (TCC), Negative Pressure Wound Therapy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. These specialized wound care therapies can aid in wound closure, new tissue growth, wound tissue regeneration and much more.
HSHS St. Anthony’s Wound Healing Center has been caring for chronic wounds since January 2010. The Center has been recognized by Healogics as a Center of Excellence each year since opening. Through advanced wound healing methods, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and highly trained providers and clinicians, over 90 percent of St. Anthony’s Wound Healing Center patients have been healed annually.
Contact HSHS St. Anthony’s Wound Healing Center to learn more about diabetic foot ulcers or if you have a wound that will not heal. To schedule an appointment, call 217-347-3565. For more information on St. Anthony’s Wound Healing Center, visit the hospital’s web site at stanthonyshospital.org.
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is part of the Southern Illinois Division of Hospital Sisters Health System, which also includes HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville, and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.