Wound Care / EPIFIX
Wound care is particularly important for those with diabetes. It’s possible that what appears to be a small wound could turn into more severe foot complications down the road if left untreated. It’s common for those with diabetes to experience neuropathy. Neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that affects the body and can cause you to lose feeling in the feet. If you’re no longer experiencing feeling in your feet and a wound develops, it’s very possible it may go unnoticed if you don’t check your feet daily.
Some factors that contribute to the formation of wounds on the feet include wearing tightly fitted shoes, getting a pebble stuck in your shoe, or simply walking. What may appear to be just a small inconvenience such as a blister or callus can worsen over time, so it’s important to be safe and seek the attention of a professional. If you’ve developed a wound, it’s recommended that you try your best to keep the weight off of the area until you’re able to meet with a podiatrist.
Some ways to prevent wounds from developing include checking your feet daily for any injuries, washing and drying your feet daily, dressing for comfort and making sure your toes have enough space, and properly trimming your toenails straight across. Because wounds can lead to more severe complications, especially for those with diabetes, we recommend you speak with a podiatrist for professional guidance and a suggested plan for treatment.
Epifix - dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allograft
EpiFix®, is a skin allograft (human tissue transplant) derived from amniotic membranes. It reduces inflammation and creates a protective barrier for wounds, ulcers, and burns while accelerating healing. EpiFix® contains essential wound-healing properties that have been extracted from donated C-section placental tissue. The amnion and chlorion amniotic membranes are separated, cleaned and sterilized, reassembled, and dehydrated. EpiFix® comes in sheets that podiatrists cut to size and apply to the wound after it has been cleaned and debrided. Epifix® delivers active growth factors, specialty proteins, and an extracellular matrix (scaffolding) which gives structure and support to aid soft tissue regeneration. EpiFix® is safe and effective with no adverse side effects.
