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Having
three autoimmune diseases had taken a toll on
Stephanie Colucci’s body.
Because of complications from lupus, rheumatoid arthritis,
and scleroderma, she’s had to endure an amputation of her
right leg below the knee and surgery on her left foot.
“It looked like I would lose my left foot, as well, but Dr. Ali
and the wound care team at Methodist Charlton were able to
save my foot,” she says.
Colucci says she met Basit Ali, DO, an independently
practicing wound care specialist on the medical staff at
Methodist Charlton Medical Center, when he cared for the
open wound on her left foot after a previous surgery.
“Dr. Ali was there every step of the way, cleaning and caring
for the wound while I was in the hospital,” she says.
No giving up
After she was released from the hospital, Colucci
continued treatment through the
hospital’s Wound Care and Hyperbaric
Center with a month of hyperbaric
oxygen therapy sessions. During the
sessions, a patient lies in a chamber filled
with pure oxygen, which facilitates the
growth of healthy tissue to heal wounds.
Did she mind being in the enclosed
chamber? “Not at all,” Colucci says. “It
was actually very peaceful and relaxing.
I could lie inside and watch TV or listen
to music.”
To heal the wound completely,
Dr. Ali had to apply a variety of
treatments, including V.A.C.®
(vacuum-assisted closure) therapy,
which uses negative pressure to
vacuum impurities from the wound
and stimulates tissue growth.
“I can’t say enough about how well I
was treated by Dr. Ali and the wound
care staff,” Colucci says. “When one
treatment stopped working, we would
try something else. When the wound
threw him a curve ball, he would hit
beautif
every one. He is exceptional.”
Colucci says she also found the wound care staff to
be patient and compassionate.
“They were always willing to sit down, talk with you, ask
how you were doing, and answer your questions,” she says.
“They became like family.”
As for the wound, it’s a thing of the past.
“All the doctors who have seen the wound are impressed,”
she says. “It healed beautifully.”
Do you have a wound that won’t heal? To learn more
about Methodist’s Wound Care and Hyperbaric Centers,
go to
www.MethodistHealthSystem.org/WoundCare
or call
214-947-0000
.
Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health
System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist
Health System.
Diabetes: Feet smarts
Diabetes can raise your risk for serious foot problems. For example, if you
develop nerve damage from diabetes, you might not feel an injury, and poor
circulation and high blood sugar can then hamper healing of the wound.
Good foot care can help you avoid problems. Consider the following
advice fromSaleemah Fahmi, MD, medical director of diabetes education at
Methodist Charlton Medical Center.
Ask a friend to check your feet.
A second set of eyes can help find callus
development, redness, open wounds, and damage to the foot that you might
not be able to feel.
Pass on pedicures.
“I don’t recommend nail salon pedicures,” Dr. Fahmi says.
“I’ve actually had patients have to do wound care because a pedicurist injured
the skin and they got an infection.”
Moisturize.
After bathing, moisturize the outside of the foot — not between
the toes — to prevent calluses from forming.
Wear your shoes.
“It’s easier to injure your feet if you’re barefoot,” Dr. Fahmi
says. “Even if you’re in your own home, it’s best to wear shoes or slippers.”
Also, shoes shouldn’t be too tight or rub against parts of the foot.
For more help managing your diabetes, consider the Methodist Diabetes
Self-Management Program. Learn more at
www.MethodistHealthSystem.org/Diabetes
.
Healing
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Methodist Health System
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Spring 2012