Wound Care

A non-healing sore or ulcer on the foot or ankle is a serious medical concern that requires immediate professional intervention. Because the feet are distal from the heart, they often receive less blood flow, which can slow the body's natural repair processes. At Medford Foot & Ankle Clinic, Jeffery D. Zimmer DPM, FACFAS, Joshua B. Millward, DPM, and Ryan Mayberry, DPM, provide advanced wound care Southern Oregon and Northern California. Proper clinical management is essential to prevent infections from spreading to the bone, a condition known as osteomyelitis, which can lead to severe systemic complications or limb loss.

Wounds on the feet often develop due to a combination of pressure, poor circulation, and nerve damage. Diabetic ulcers are particularly common on the ball of the foot or the underside of the toes, where constant friction occurs. Other patients may struggle with venous stasis ulcers, caused by fluid backup in the legs, or arterial ulcers, resulting from clogged arteries. The podiatrists at our Medford office perform thorough vascular and neurological exams to determine why a wound is not closing. Recognizing the type of ulcer is the beginning of creating the right circumstances for tissue regeneration.

Effective wound care involves more than just keeping a sore covered. Our team performs medical debridement, a process wherein dead or infected tissue is carefully removed to expose healthy, viable skin. This procedure jumpstarts the healing process and reduces the bacterial load in the wound bed. We also employ medical-grade dressings that manage moisture levels and provide antimicrobial protection. For residents in the Southern Oregon and Northern California areas, we provide specialized treatments such as collagen matrices or skin substitutes that provide a structural framework for new skin cells to grow across the injury.

A wound cannot heal if it is constantly being subjected to the pressure of walking. Off-loading is a vital component of our clinical strategy, involving the use of specialized walking boots, total contact casts, or custom orthotics to redistribute weight away from the ulcerated area. By removing mechanical stress, we allow the delicate new tissue to bridge the gap without being damaged by daily activity. Dr. Zimmer, Dr. Millward, and Dr. Mayberry also work with patients to improve nutritional intake and manage underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or peripheral artery disease, to support long-term skin integrity.

Choosing a podiatric specialist for wound care ensures that you are receiving the highest standard of limb-salvage expertise. Jeffery D. Zimmer, DPM, FACFAS, Joshua B. Millward, DPM, and Ryan Mayberry, DPM, offer a professional and sterile environment dedicated to resolving complex foot and ankle injuries. Serving Southern Oregon and Northern California, our practice provides the diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions necessary to close stubborn wounds and prevent recurrence. When you need a partner for foot and ankle wound care, call us at 541-770-1225.