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Wound Care

Group of men exercising in a park.

When a wound has failed to heal naturally in two to three weeks, CU Medicine’s Wound Care clinic at CU Medicine Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Highlands Ranch Specialty Care Center offers expert, compassionate care to help it heal. Our wound care clinic is dedicated to helping your wound heal safely and efficiently while preventing complications, lowering the risk of amputation, reducing hospital visits and supporting your overall quality of life.

 

 

What Is a Wound Care Clinic?  

A wound care clinic is a specialized medical service dedicated to diagnosing, treating and healing complex or slow-to-heal wounds using evidence-based protocols and advanced therapies. These complex or slow-to-heal wounds include diabetic foot ulcers, arterial ulcers, pressure injuries, non-healing surgical wounds and traumatic wounds.  

 

What Treatments are Provided at the Wound Care Clinic?

Services provided at our wound care clinic include:  

  • Comprehensive wound assessments
    • Taking a close look at the wound to understand what it needs next.
  • Evaluation of circulation
    • Healthy blood flow is vital for a wound to heal. We refer patients for specialized testing such as Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), Doppler and vascular studies if needed to determine if circulation is affecting wound recovery.
  • Identification and treatment of infection
    • Checking for signs of infection and providing appropriate treatments to prevent further complications.
  • Sharp and enzymatic debridement
    • Debridement removes dead or unhealthy tissue to aid in healing.
  • Advanced wound dressings
    • CU Medicine Wound Care uses advanced wound dressings such as antimicrobial, collagen, foam, hydrofiber and alginate to aid healing.
  • Skin substitutes (biologic grafts or advanced wound matrix)
    • For wounds not healing with standard care, bioengineered or natural grafts may be used as a temporary “scaffold” to promote the growth of new tissue.
  • Compression therapy for venous disease
    • For patients with swelling, compression will help reduce swelling by improving circulation and supporting faster healing.
  • Negative pressure wound therapy (wound vacs)
    • A wound vac gently removes fluid and promotes blood flow to help wounds heal. This may involve Prisma®, a collagen-based wound matrix that absorbs drainage, reduces bacteria and supports new tissue growth.
  • Offloading and pressure relief strategies
    • Reducing pressure on the wound using tools such as specialized footwear to prevent further injury and support healing.
  • UltraMIST®
    • An advanced wound therapy that uses ultrasound-powered saline mist to clean wounds, fight bacteria and promote faster healing without touching the wound.
  • Partnership with lymphedema specialists
    • If swelling affects healing, we collaborate with physical and occupational therapists trained in lymphedema management.
  • Partnership with vascular specialists

Each case is unique and our expert providers work with each patient to determine which treatment works best in supporting overall quality of life.  

 

What Does a Wound Care Provider Do?  


A wound care provider is an expert in why wounds don’t heal and how to make them heal by creating personalized treatment plans that involve advanced techniques and medical management. They evaluate the wound closely, determine the underlying cause, remove unhealthy tissue, apply advance dressings, manage infection, apply advanced therapies and monitor healing over time. They also offer education on nutrition and prevention of future wounds.  

Healing a complex wound often requires support from multiple specialties. Our wound care providers work seamlessly across CU Medicine’s over 4,000 University of Colorado physicians and advanced practice providers to provide expert care in every aspect that may affect healing.  

 


What Are Some Examples of Wounds Treated by CU Medicine’s Wound Care Clinic?  


Our team cares for a wide range of wounds from new injuries to complex, chronic wounds. Conditions we commonly treat include:  

  • Diabetic foot ulcers  
  • Venous stasis ulcers  
  • Arterial ulcers  
  • Pressure injuries  
  • Non-healing surgical wounds  
  • Traumatic wounds, such as cuts and skin tears  

We treat both new injuries (acute wounds) and chronic wounds that have not healed with standard care.  

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Wound Care  


Can Sweat Infect a Wound?  

Yes. Sweat can increase moisture and bacteria around the wound, which raises the risk of infection. Keeping the area clean and dry helps support healing. 

When Should You See a Wound Care Specialist?  

When a wound has failed to heal on its own after two to three weeks.  

Should you put Vaseline® (petroleum jelly) on stitches?  

No. There are other forms of wound dressings that are much more effective. Your provider can recommend the best option based on your wound.  

How Do You Care for a Puncture Wound?  

The most important thing is flushing the wound with a safe liquid to clean it and making sure it can drain. Depending on how the wound occurred, antibiotics and an updated tetanus vaccine may be needed.