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  • WOUND CARE

    Our mission is to spend quality, unrushed time with our patients in order to truly get to know them and their medical concerns regarding wound care.We believe doctor and patient must become partners in health care planning, thus establishing a strong doctor-patient relationship built on knowledge, trust and respect. In our practice, we help to organize a wound care team to meet these needs. Call today to schedule your assessment exam and start of your wound treatment plan.

    Dr. Pulapaka talks about wound care. "I am certified with the American Board of Wound Management as a Certified Wound Specialist Physician, one of five in Volusia County and the only one in our West Volusia area. A patient with a wound that has not healed after one month of conservative therapy may benefit from being referred to a wound care specialist for further evaluation and treatment. At DeLand Foot and Leg Center, I provide innovative health care while demonstrating compassion to your patients as they navigate the often long road to recovery. I am also currently certified with the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry - Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Wounds and Diabetic Footwear. Statistics show 85% of diabetes-related lower extremity amputations are preceded by a foot ulcer, however many foot ulcers can be prevented with suitable healthcare and informed self-care. With my combined expertise and diverse clinical knowledge I can help to improve the patient's wound healing and thus, improve their quality of life."

  • Wound Dressings
    There are thousands of types of wound dressings available. Sometimes patients are overwhelmed by the options. The secret to understanding the various types of wound dressings is to learn the basic properties of wound dressings. Here are a few examples of some of the dressings Dr. Pulapaka may prescribe in your treatment plan. These videos series is brought to you by Wound Educators.

    FOAM


    ALGINATE


    GAUZE



    How To Change A Wound Dressing



    Advancing Tissue Healing Without Surgery

    You don’t have to be a professional athlete to benefit from a new procedure called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
    Used in Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward and Major League pitcher Takashi Saito, the technique also is being used to treat foot and ankle conditions in “weekend warriors” and to heal wounds in diabetics. It can even help those suffering from arthritis, according to Sean T. Grambart, DPM, FACFAS, an Illinois foot and ankle surgeon.
    PRP is a growth factor found in blood platelets that can promote the healing of bones, cartilage, blood vessels, tendons and tissue. A small vial of the patient’s blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate out the PRP, which then is injected at the injury site.
    According to Grambart, he has used PRP for almost three years now and has experienced successful responses with it in his patients. “I have seen positive outcomes with chronic Achilles tendon pain, bone healing for non-unions and acute ligament injuries in athletes. I also have seen it work well in patients with chronic pain syndromes.”
    For example, Dr. Grambart uses PRP when conservative measures such as medication, splints and physical therapy have failed in patients with chronic Achilles tendon pain. “Instead of performing a surgical procedure that involves opening the Achilles tendon, removing the scar tissue and requiring the patient to have about a six-month recovery, we can inject PRP into the tendon to bring the growth factors directly to the tendon, which can stimulate healing.”
    The biggest advantage, he said, is the recovery is easier for the patient. After the procedure, the patient wears a protective boot for about two to five days and then can start to advance activities. “Patients usually notice improvement within four to six weeks and if needed, additional injections can be given as well to maximize the benefit.”
    PRP therapy, however, is not a cure-all. As with most treatments, it may not work for everyone, but research to find the full effectiveness of PRP in the treatment of foot and ankle conditions continues, Dr. Grambart acknowledged.
    Dr. Grambart is optimistic about the potential uses of PRP. “I think we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg with how PRP affects the different tissues within the body and how it can be used to advance healing,” he said.