Etiology First
Lower-leg wounds rarely have a single cause. The most common are venous (swelling, brown skin staining, weeping ulcers near the medial malleolus), arterial (painful, “punched-out” wounds in patients with peripheral arterial disease), and mixed. Diabetic neuropathy, lymphedema, and prior trauma frequently complicate the picture.
Why Generic Care Fails
A venous ulcer left without compression will not heal. An arterial wound treated with compression can worsen. The first job is to identify the dominant cause so the right combination of moisture management, compression, debridement, and offloading can be applied.
What We Do
Dr. O’Carroll evaluates vascular status (often with non-invasive arterial studies), debrides nonviable tissue, prescribes the appropriate dressings and compression, and coordinates with vascular surgery, infectious disease, or endocrinology when needed. Advanced therapies - bioengineered skin substitutes, growth factor preparations - are used for chronic, non-healing wounds.
Prevention
Daily skin checks, prompt attention to small cuts, well-fitted footwear, and consistent compression for venous disease are the cornerstones of preventing recurrence.