Chronic Wounds: The Facts
People who have chronic wounds that won't heal because of diabetes or other health conditions often experience pain, fear and a marked reduction in quality of life. More than 5 million people in the United States suffer from chronic non-healing wounds-the leading cause of amputations among diabetic patients. More than $4 billion is spent on the treatment of chronic wounds each year.

The Wound Healing Center: Our Services
The Wound Healing Center at St. Clair Hospital is an outpatient center that provides a comprehensive treatment program for non-healing wounds. One of the Wound Healing Center's main goals is to decrease the number of amputations through early intervention and prevention strategies.

We offer a comprehensive treatment program utilizing advanced surgical and medical treatments. Our team of specialists includes a vascular surgeon, a plastic surgeon, an enterostomal therapist, and registered nurses. We treat a variety of wounds, including:

• Diabetic ulcers
• Venous stasis ulcers
• Arterial ulcers and gangrene
• Pressure ulcers
• Wounds from traumatic injury
• Collagen vascular wounds
• Any non-healing wounds

Please Call for an Appointment
Making an appointment is the first step to healing. You may call to ask questions or to arrange an appointment. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call us at 412.942.5725.

Location
We are located on the first floor in the St. Clair Hospital Professional Office Building. Valet parking is available and we are wheelchair accessible.

The Wound Healing Center at St. Clair Hospital
Professional Office Building, Suite 107
1050 Bower Hill Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
(412)942-5725

Medical Director, David L. Steed, M.D., F.A.C.S.

David L. Steed, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a 1973 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He served his internship and surgery residency at the University Health Center Hospitals of Pittsburgh. Dr. Steed completed a research fellowship at UCLA. He obtained specialty certification from the American Board of Surgery in general surgery, surgical critical care and general vascular surgery. Dr. Steed is currently a professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and director of the Wound Healing/Limb Preservation Clinic.

Dr. Steed's professional memberships include the Society for Vascular Surgery, American Surgical Association and the American College of Surgeons. He has served as an editor of Wound Repair and Regeneration and as President of the Wound Healing Society. He received the Faculty Recognition Award for student mentoring in 2003, 2004, and 2005 at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and has twice received the Golden Apple for teaching at the University.

Robert W. Bragdon, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Robert W. Bragdon, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a 1973 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He served his internship and general surgery residency at the University Health Center Hospitals and completed a fellowship in burn care at West Penn Hospital. Dr. Bragdon served his plastic surgery residency at West Penn Hospital while also serving a fellowship at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, New Hampshire. Dr. Bragdon is currently a clinical associate professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Bragdon is a member of the Allegheny County Medical Society, Pennsylvania Medical Society, American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the Ivy Society.

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Take Care of Your Diabetes
· Work with your healthcare team to keep your blood sugar within a healthy range.

Check your feet everyday
· Look at your bare feet for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling.
· Use a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet or ask a family member for help if you have trouble seeing.

Wash your feet everyday
· Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water everyday.
· Dry your feet well. Be sure to dry between the toes.

Keep the skin soft and smooth
· Apply a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.

Smooth corns and calluses gently
· Don't use over-the-counter products or sharp objects on corns and calluses.

If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them each week or when needed
· Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file. If you have limited vision, inability to reach your toes, back problems, arthritis, or tremors, have your nails trimmed professionally by a podiatrist.

Wear shoes and socks at all times
· Never walk barefoot.
· Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet.
· Feel inside your shoes before putting them on each time to make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.

Protect your feet from hot and cold
· Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement.
· Wear socks at night if your feet get cold.
· Don't test bath water with your feet.
· Don't use hot water bottles or heating pads.

Keep the blood flowing to your feet
· Put your feet up when sitting, if you have swelling.
· Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for five minutes, two to three times a day.
· Don't cross your legs for long periods of time.
· Don't smoke.

Stay active
· Plan your physical activity program with your doctor.

Talk to your doctor
· Have your doctor check your bare feet and find out whether you are likely to have serious foot problems. Remember that you may not feel the pain of an injury.
· Call your doctor immediately if you find a cut, sore, blister, or bruise on your foot that does not begin to heal after one day.
· Follow your doctor's advice about foot care.