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Diabetic Foot Care, Wounds & Circulation

Chronic Non-Healing Wounds & Limb Preservation

Causes, symptoms, and treatment for chronic wounds and limb preservation, with care at 15 clinics across Middle Tennessee.

Part of Diabetic Foot Care, Wounds & Circulation

Understanding chronic wounds and limb preservation and your options.

A chronic wound is a sore that has not healed after several weeks or keeps coming back. Limb preservation is care that aims to save your foot or leg and keep you walking. It uses a team approach to find and fix what is blocking healing.

Wounds that stay open are often tied to diabetes, poor circulation, infection, or constant pressure. The longer they stay open, the higher the risk of serious trouble. Fast attention gives you the best chance to keep your limb.

Request an appointmentCall 615-220-8788
Chronic Non-Healing Wounds & Limb Preservation care

Symptoms

Signs of chronic wounds and limb preservation.

If you notice these signs, an exam can give you clear answers.

  • 01

    A wound that has not improved in 2 to 4 weeks

  • 02

    Skin that is dark, pale, or very cold around a sore

  • 03

    Increasing pain, drainage, or swelling

  • 04

    New wounds appearing in the same spot

Why it happens

What can cause chronic wounds and limb preservation.

  • 01

    Poor blood flow that starves the wound of oxygen

  • 02

    Diabetes and uncontrolled blood sugar

  • 03

    Ongoing pressure on the same part of the foot

  • 04

    Infection deep in the tissue or bone

Care groupDiabetic Foot Care, Wounds & Circulation

Diagnosis and care

How we treat chronic wounds and limb preservation.

Step 1 · Diagnosis

We review your health history and look closely at the wound and the skin around it. We check pulses and may order circulation tests to see if blood flow is enough to heal. X-rays or an MRI look for bone infection, and blood tests can point to infection or other health issues.

Step 2 · Treatment

We clear dead tissue with minor in-office procedures and choose dressings that fit the wound. Offloading boots and casts take pressure off the area. We treat infection and work with your doctors on blood sugar, nutrition, and circulation. Compression, wound care, and shockwave therapy may be used in some cases.

When wounds do not respond, surgery may be used to fix blood flow, clear infected bone, or reshape a foot that keeps breaking down. Removing part of the foot is a last resort, and the goal is always to keep as much of the foot as safely possible.

Recovery

What to expect over time.

Chronic wounds can take weeks to many months to close. Progress is usually slow and steady, and staying on your plan matters a great deal.

When to book

Do not wait it out.

See a podiatrist if a sore has not started to heal within 2 weeks. Go quickly for black or dying skin, spreading redness, or fever.

Call 615-220-8788

Related care

More in Diabetic Foot Care, Wounds & Circulation.

FAQ

Your questions answered.

What does limb preservation mean?

It means a team works to save your foot and keep you walking. It often includes wound care, circulation checks, and infection control.

Will I lose my foot?

Many people keep their foot with early, steady care. The sooner a wound is treated, the better the outlook.

Get help with chronic wounds and limb preservation.

Request an appointmentCall 615-220-8788

Where we treat it

Chronic Non-Healing Wounds & Limb Preservation care at 15 clinics.

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