Exploring Advanced Wound Care Services for Chronic Ulcers

Published by Taylor Smith on October 22, 2026

Get Appropriate Wound Dressings

Wound dressings are a foundational part of chronic ulcer care. A dressing covers the wound, protects it from outside contaminants, and helps manage the wound environment. Some dressings absorb excess fluid, and others add moisture to dry wounds. Some common dressing types include:

Foam Dressings
Hydrocolloid Dressings
Alginate Dressings
Hydrogel Dressings
Antimicrobial Dressings

Common contributing factors to developing chronic ulcers include diabetes, peripheral artery disease, venous insufficiency, and prolonged pressure on the skin. Diabetic foot ulcers develop when nerve damage reduces sensation in the feet, whereas venous leg ulcers form when damaged vein valves allow blood to pool in the lower legs. Wound care providers select a dressing based on the wound’s size, depth, drainage level, and location. Regular follow-up visits allow the care team to reassess the wound and adjust the dressing type as needed, enabling timely wound care services.

Benefit From Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Along with appropriate dressings, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. A typical session lasts about 90 minutes to two hours; patients need multiple sessions over several weeks. The chamber’s air pressure is higher than normal atmospheric pressure, allowing the lungs to take in more oxygen than they would at normal pressure. The bloodstream then carries this oxygen to tissues throughout the body, including the chronic wound site.

Wound care teams may recommend HBOT for certain diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injuries, and wounds with limited blood flow. During each session, a patient lies in a clear chamber and can rest or watch television. HBOT is not appropriate for every patient, so the care team screens each person before the first session. This screening includes a review of medical history, current medications, and any lung or ear conditions.

Get Skin Substitutes or Grafting

When an ulcer doesn’t respond to standard care over several weeks, providers may discuss using skin substitutes or tissue grafting. Timing is a key factor in this treatment decision. Providers will evaluate the wound’s progress at regular intervals to determine when these options may be appropriate. Skin substitutes are biological or synthetic materials placed over a prepared wound bed. Some come from human donor tissue, such as amniotic membrane or donated skin, while others come from animal sources, including porcine or bovine collagen.

Synthetic options use engineered materials designed to mimic skin structure. Providers apply these products during an outpatient visit. Some products dissolve over time, but others require removal at a follow-up appointment. A skin graft involves moving healthy skin from one area of the body, called the donor site, to the wound. There are two common skin graft types:

Split-thickness grafts include the top layer of skin and part of the layer beneath it.
Full-thickness grafts include both complete layers.

Surgeons usually perform grafting in a hospital or surgical center. Before the procedure, the wound bed must be clean and have adequate blood flow; this promotes a healthy environment for recovery. Afterward, patients follow specific instructions for caring for both the graft site and the donor site. Periodic follow-up appointments allow vascular specialists to make sure wounds are healing as they should.

Learn More About Wound Care Services

Many chronic ulcers are linked to blood flow problems. Vascular specialists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the arteries and veins, including peripheral artery disease and chronic venous insufficiency. Because these conditions often contribute to slow-healing wounds, vascular specialists frequently work with wound care patients. They can order tests such as ankle-brachial index measurements and duplex ultrasound to assess circulation in the legs. To learn about which services may fit your needs, contact a vascular specialist today.