Wound Care
At any given time, almost six million Americans suffer from problem wounds—wounds that have not started to heal in four weeks or are not completely healed in eight weeks.
The staff at Mount Nittany Center for Wound Care specializes in treatments for a variety of wounds. The Diabetes Foot Clinic works in collaboration with our Center for Wound Care.
Conditions
Wound management is designed to complement physician services. While the primary care physician will continue to treat the causes, our Center for Wound Care staff will support the physician with a focus on wound healing.
Our team specializes in the following areas:
- Diabetic wounds
- Ischemic wounds
- Pressure wounds
- Venous wounds
We also have experience with:
- Acute trauma
- Burns
- Drug/disease induced wounds
- Post-operative wounds
- Radiation injury
Treatment
Patients will undergo a thorough diagnostic exam to identify the type of wound and any underlying problems causing the delay in its healing process.
When identified, a tailored treatment plan will be initiated based on the most effective ways to heal the wound. Treatment options that may by considered include:
- Nuclear medicine
- Pain management
- Physical therapy
- Radiology
- Vascular evaluation
Orthotics
The Orthotics Department coordinates and participates in the examination and evaluation of patient needs for devices to support or immobilize affected limbs. This department oversees the design and fabrication of orthotic devices.
Working from a prescription by a physician, our certified orthotist creates devices to support weakened body parts as well as correct body impairments caused by or related to conditions such as cerebral palsy, diabetes, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, malformation of bones, spinal cord injuries and musculo-skeletal injuries.
Located at the Mount Nittany Center for Wound Care, the Orthotics Department provides services to patients there and at the Medical Center.
Hyperbaric Medicine
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a procedure during which a patient breathes 100 percent pure oxygen while reclining in a pressurized chamber. This delivery of a high concentration of oxygen to the blood stream and to the wound bed rapidly accelerates the healing process. It also stimulates growth of new blood vessels and improves circulation.
Physicians
W. Stephen Barnes, MD
Full profileGregory D. Cook, MD
Full profileWellness Library
Health Break Article
Hope for Patients with Chronic Wounds
It's very troubling to see how painful and worrisome a non-healing wound can be for a patient. I often see patients who have withdrawn from normal activities due to a chronic wound that just refuses to heal properly. As a wound-care specialty physician, I see many types of non-healing wounds – some are associated with complications from diabetes or vascular disorders. Other wounds may be pressure sores, or those caused by traumatic injury, or late effects of radiation therapy. In all cases, the patient is greatly concerned about the condition of his or her wound and interested in getting it healed so they can return to their normal activities. Developing the optimal treatment plan for a chronic wound is best handled by a team approa...