Specialized care gets to the root of the problem
A small sore on the foot. A blister that just won’t close. A wound that has lingered for weeks despite treatment.
What if the problem isn’t the wound itself?
For some people, the answer may be poor circulation.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can restrict blood flow to the legs and feet, while vein disease can interfere with blood returning from the legs. When blood isn’t reaching an injured area properly, even a minor wound can become a stubborn, chronic problem.
Warning signs of circulation problems can include pain or cramping in the legs when walking, cold feet, changes in skin color or wounds that heal slowly. Some people may not notice obvious symptoms until a wound develops. That is why persistent or unexplained changes deserve a second look, particularly for people with diabetes or known vascular risk factors. Early evaluation can help determine whether blood flow is part of the problem for healing.
At Vascular & Vein Center, specialists focus on identifying and treating vascular problems that may be preventing a wound from healing in the first place.
“We open up the blood vessels that are blocked to improve the blood supply to that area, like an ulcer, so the wound actually heals,” said Dr. Adam Keefer, a vascular surgeon at Vascular & Vein Center.
As Dr. Keefer describes, healing may have less to do with treating the wound itself, and more to do with what’s happening underneath it.
“We’ve had patients that have gone to other care centers for years and they don’t see any improvement and the reason is because they have blocked blood flow. So, the minute we see them and we open up the blood flow, the wound heals,” Dr. Keefer said.
Why Diabetes Makes Small Injuries a Bigger Concern
People with diabetes should be especially vigilant about wounds on the feet and lower legs. Nerve damage from the disease can decrease sensation, meaning an injury from stepping on something, bumping a toe or wearing ill-fitting shoes may go unnoticed.
“We’re seeing a lot more diabetic wounds,” said Dr. Keefer. “A lot of times people with diabetes step on stuff or hit their toes and don’t really realize that they have a wound that doesn’t heal, or ill-fitting shoes can cause blisters from swelling and then they become wounds that don’t heal. They don’t notice because they have less feeling in their legs and feet.”
The first step can be prevention. High cholesterol and tobacco use can significantly damage blood vessels and increase the risk of vascular disease.
Wearing properly fitted footwear rather than routinely going barefoot or wearing sandals can help protect vulnerable feet. Regular podiatric care is another important part of diabetic foot health.
“Foot care is huge, it’s good preventative medicine,” Dr. Keefer said. “I really advocate for all our diabetic patients to see a podiatrist.”
Vascular & Vein Center recently aligned with a local podiatry group, expanding its ability to provide diabetic foot care alongside vascular services.
Don’t Wait for a Wound to Get Worse
For someone with diabetes, a wound on the foot or lower leg shouldn’t be a “wait and see” situation.
“Any diabetic with a wound needs to see our practice, period,” Dr. Keefer said.
Other signs that may also warrant a vascular evaluation include persistent bruising, which can sometimes be related to vein disease, including varicose veins that rupture beneath the skin. A large, nonhealing bruise or hematoma should be evaluated, particularly when there is no clear explanation.
Timing matters and the earlier a nonhealing wound is evaluated, the sooner its underlying cause can be identified, and, when necessary, treated.
Because sometimes healing a wound isn’t simply about treating what’s visible. It’s about finding out why the wound isn’t healing—and treating the problem underneath it.
“If we get to it early, we really get patients healed up and back to normal life within a few weeks,” Dr. Keefer said.
Specialized vascular wound care can also offer a more convenient path to treatment. In-office procedures can mean quicker appointment times, same-day returns home and no hospital stay for many patients.
“We see ourselves as a wound healing center because not only do we deal with the actual wounds, we also correct the underlying problem that’s causing the wounds so they don’t keep coming back,” Dr. Keefer said. “When people think ‘wound care,’ they think of a covering, like a Band-Aid. But a vascular problem could mean something isn’t healing beneath the skin.”
For patients living with diabetes, vascular disease or unexplained wounds, paying attention to what’s underneath the surface can make all the difference.
A wound that refuses to heal may be more than a skin problem. It may be a signal that the body isn’t delivering the blood flow needed for healing..
