UT Southwestern Medical Center's multi-disciplinary wound care efforts

UT Southwestern Medical CenterSep 9 2014

UT Southwestern Medical Center's multi-disciplinary wound care efforts have converged in a new, state-of-the-art clinic. The Wound Care Clinic is one of the first clinics in North Texas to offer comprehensive, streamlined wound care. The clinic provides all-encompassing care for patients who suffer from chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic injury wounds, pressure ulcers, and wounds that occur following cancer treatment.

Patients can see specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation, plastic surgery, podiatry, and vascular surgery for evaluation and treatment in one centralized location - inside UT Southwestern's Professional Office Building 2, located on the southwest corner of Harry Hines Boulevard and Record Crossing Road. The clinic offers a full range of services, including access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, new and advanced wound-specific dressings, total contact casting, vascular imaging and surgery focused on restoring blood flow, as well as reconstructive techniques to improve function - all key methods to healing chronic wounds and improving quality of life.

"This clinic offers a unique, multi-disciplinary approach that coordinates the care for patients with all types of wounds," said Dr. Jean de Leon, Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Medical Director of the Wound Care Clinic. "Through communication, education, and collaboration, our team can design customized and appropriate treatment strategies for our patients that will maximize the rate of wound healing and reduce the rate of complications."

The clinic also will give patients access to clinical trials and new treatments resulting from UT Southwestern's advanced wound care research.

"The evidenced-based therapies we offer patients, combined with our research, sets us apart from other wound care programs," said Dr. Lawrence Lavery, Professor of Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Director of Research for the Department of Plastic Surgery. "One example is a recent study exploring a three-dimensional matrix applied directly to diabetic foot ulcers. Our data showed a 30 percent improvement in healing times, as well as enhanced long-term results."

While the clinic treats various types of complex wounds, diabetic foot ulcers are among the most common. Foot ulcers are one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization and amputation among individuals suffering from diabetic complications, which affects approximately 25 percent of all patients with diabetes.