Wichita Podiatrist Explains How UltraMIST Can Provide No-Contact Treatment for Open Wounds
If you have an open wound on your foot, you may be wondering if there are any no-contact treatment options that may help your condition. Central Kansas Podiatry offers expert wound care services that may include using contact-free UltraMIST therapy to treat open wounds. Want to find out if this treatment process is a good option for you? Make an appointment with Dr. Benjamin Weaver today. He will assess your condition and provide you with an individualized treatment plan for your podiatric needs.
What Is the UltraMIST System?
UltraMIST is a state-of-the-art wound treatment system that uses a combination of ultrasound waves and saline mist to promote the healing of chronic wounds, including open wounds on feet or ankles. Because this therapy uses a combination of acoustic waves and saline mist rather than an invasive approach, it can be done without making direct contact with the wound area, making it a painless treatment that can be an effective option for treating open wounds.
How UltraMIST Works
UltraMIST therapy is a contact-free approach that delivers low-frequency ultrasound waves that penetrate into the affected tissue below the wound's surface. The technology goes below the skin's surface to get to the deeper tissue that isn’t healing on its own.
UltraMIST heals wounds by doing multiple things simultaneously. By using acoustic sound waves, this no-contact treatment can reduce inflammation and bacteria in open wounds, which is critical to healing.
Reducing inflammation and bacteria alone will aid in wound healing, but this isn’t all the UltraMIST system does to aid in wound healing. It also increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the affected tissue. This unique therapeutic combination aids your body by helping to promote the natural healing process.
Treatment Length
An individual UltraMIST treatment can take anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the wound. Most patients report a reduced feeling of pain immediately, but UltraMIST isn’t a one-and-done treatment. Instead, a patient’s treatment plan will usually include several visits, with the recommended number varying based on the patient's individual circumstances. Studies indicate that patients may have an 85% reduction in their wound area after seven weekly treatments.
Examples of Wounds That Can Be Treated With UltraMIST
The UltraMIST system promotes wound healing and can be beneficial in the treatment of many kinds of wounds, including ones that won’t heal on their own and that are caused by an underlying health condition. Examples of wound types that UltraMIST can be particularly helpful with include:
- Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Due to their elevated blood sugar and reduced blood circulation, diabetics are at an elevated risk of developing ulcers that are difficult to heal. The UltraMIST system can be helpful for treating diabetic foot ulcers.
- Venous Leg Ulcers. Venous leg ulcers may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, or lack of physical activity. These can be treated with UltraMIST by increasing blood flow to the area.
- Pressure Ulcers. Pressure ulcers are painful open wounds caused by putting prolonged pressure on a certain area. UltraMIST can help treat pressure ulcers by reducing bacteria and increasing oxygen to the area.
If you have an open wound that has not healed on its own even though you have been keeping it clean and bandaged at home, it’s important to see a podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment immediately. Open wounds are susceptible to infection, so the sooner you see a podiatrist for help, the better.
Discussing UltraMIST With Your Podiatrist
If you have an open wound and are wondering if UltraMIST therapy might be right for you, you should discuss this with a foot doctor. If you have an ulcer or any foot wound that won’t heal, chances are good that UltraMIST will likely be a good option, but a podiatrist can let you know for sure after conducting a thorough examination. If UltraMIST isn’t right for you, your podiatrist can recommend an appropriate treatment option specific to your condition.
Don’t delay seeking help for an open wound on your foot or ankle. If you’re in the Wichita area, make an appointment with Central Kansas Podiatry today in order to have our qualified podiatrist assess your condition and give you a definitive answer on whether UltraMIST is an appropriate treatment option in your particular situation. At your appointment, Dr. Weaver will assess your condition, prescribe a treatment plan for you, and explain the treatment process in detail.
What to Expect During UltraMIST Therapy
If UltraMIST therapy is right for you, you’ll need to schedule a series of UltraMIST therapy appointments. Depending on the size and severity of your wound, the treatment may take between two and 10 sessions. During UltraMIST therapy, Dr. Weaver will use a wand to spray the wound with a fine, painless saline mist while delivering acoustic sound waves. After your appointment, your wound will be dressed, and you will schedule a follow-up to evaluate your progress with healing.