Complex lower extremity wounds present a unique problem to foot and ankle clinicians, with many obstacles to achieving a successful outcome. The decreased vasculature of the lower extremities creates environments where wounds lack the resources to properly heal on their own. Conditions such as diabetes mellitus and smoking can exacerbate these issues by further decreasing vascular flow providing resources to the wound. For physicians trained in orthopedic foot and ankle surgery, they often do not receive training in advanced wound care, whereas podiatric surgeons can obtain fellowship training in wound care management. This dynamic presents a unique opportunity for tandem management of complex lower extremity wounds, which can decrease patient morbidity and the costs associated with care. We present three cases of complex wounds managed in a tandem fashion that achieved optimal outcomes after both orthopedic surgery and podiatric surgery were involved. These cases illustrate the potential benefits associated with tandem wound management in foot and ankle surgery.
Keywords: complex wounds; diabetic ulcers; gastrocnemius recession; lower extremity wounds; orthopedic surgery; podiatry; tandem specialty; team approach.
Copyright © 2019, Carr et al.