Atypical Wounds

Atypical wounds resist classification, but fortunately they’re still very treatable. At Rocky Mountain Wound Care Specialists in Loveland, Colorado, certified wound care specialist and premier physician Amy Pate, MD, MPH, CWSP, offers an array of healing treatments in the comfort of a medical office rather than a hospital setting. Book your appointment online or call the office for help with atypical wounds today.

What are atypical wounds?

Most chronic wounds are venous (vein-related), arterial (artery-related), pressure ulcers, or diabetic foot ulcers. But, up to 10% of wounds don’t fit neatly into common categories, so they’re called atypical wounds.  

Atypical wounds have many causes, including inflammation, infections, autoimmune illnesses, malignancies, and allergic reactions, with many other possibilities as well.  

While learning that you have an atypical wound might be worrying, the good news is that, like other types of wounds, atypical wounds are very treatable.

What are the signs of an atypical wound?

Atypical wounds may initially appear similar to more common types of wounds. However, there are often symptoms that are at least somewhat out of the ordinary. Examples include: 

• Unusual location, like an apparent venous ulcer on the foot instead of the ankle
• Uneven wound with lopsided borders
• Granulation tissue (unhealthy new tissue) growing over the wound borders
• Granulation tissue that bleeds with light touch
• Excessive pain given the size of the wound
• Raised wound margins
• Wound borders roll under
• Wound that rapidly increases in size

Dr. Pate is a renowned wound specialist with unique diagnostic and treatment skills. She always takes the time to fully evaluate wounds, make an accurate diagnosis, and create a personalized wound management plan for you.

How are atypical wounds treated?

Treatment of atypical wounds depends on what caused the wound, symptoms, medical history, current treatment approach, and other aspects of your specific situation. Dr. Pate may prescribe medical approaches such as: 

• Total contact casting
• Compression therapy
• Negative pressure wound therapy
• Non-contact ultrasound debridement
• Surgical debridement
• Offloading 
• Epifix® biological skin substitute 
• Musculoskeletal tissue foundation skin graft 

Many patients need a combination of a couple different wound care approaches. At Rocky Mountain Wound Care Specialists, you’ll receive treatments in the office. This avoids the exorbitant facility fees that hospital-based wound centers charge while giving you physician-led wound care in a comfortable place. 

If a chronic disease caused your atypical wound, you’ll also need treatment for the disease itself. This may involve treatments like insulin for diabetes, chemotherapy for cancer, or other approaches. Treating the underlying condition as fully as possible is the best way to prevent another wound after you heal.

For atypical wound care, call Rocky Mountain Wound Care Specialists or click online scheduling to book your appointment today.