Avera Wound Care Team Adds Surgical Approach to Help Slow-Healing Wounds

Helping diabetic patients with slow-healing wounds. That’s what the Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center’s multidisciplinary wound-care team has done for years. This year, they added a podiatrist, Peter Bellezza, DPM, whose surgical approaches provide new options for patients with slow-healing wounds. 

“Our certified wound and ostomy nurse practitioners understand the importance of surgical treatment of biomechanical issues,” said Mary Jones, Director of Avera McKennan’s Wound Services. “These new options could help a number of patients.”

Bellezza uses surgical and non-surgical techniques that can help close and heal wounds.

“We can address the source of the problem,” said Bellezza. “When an underlying biomechanical issue exists, we can provide patients who fit the profile another option.”

Help for Diabetic Patients Who Felt “Hopeless”

Endocrinology, primary care and infectious disease physicians often have diabetic patients who may have slow-healing wounds. 

Some have tried orthotic inserts, traditional wound care treatments yet the wounds remain problematic. 

“They’ve had help, yet some wounds remain open for more than a year,” Bellezza said. “Patients may face amputation.” 

Patients with neuropathy may not notice lower extremity wounds. In time, infection can occur. 

“These are costly wounds,” he said. “Surgical adjustments aim to correcting the underlying biomechanical factors.” 

Techniques may include addressing joints that move too much or not enough. Other patients might need surgical correction for partial dislocations (subluxation) of bones, tendons and ligaments in the ankle or foot.

The Avera Wound team empathized with patients with slow healing injuries; they recognized the need for a subspecialist like Bellezza. With same-day procedures, often a little as 20 minutes in surgery can lead to closed wounds and an improvement in quality of life.

“We’re now able to offer patients who were losing hope another option,” said Jones.

More Options Through Podiatric Expertise 

More than 37 million Americans face diabetes and could face chronic wounds. Some estimates show another 10 million have undiagnosed diabetes.

“When wounds won’t heal, patients may stop complying with diet and other parts of their care,” Bellezza said.

Not every patient fits the procedure’s parameters. Patients who do, and who have deformities keeping wounds open, can consider surgical repair, since it does not interfere with other appropriate approaches. Actually, the faster rate of healing can help holistically. Most insurances cover the costs.

Bellezza has increased his outreach beyond South Dakota, and now treats patients in Iowa and Minnesota.

“We’re glad to offer patients more choices,” he said. Learn more at Avera.org/Podiatry.