Treatment Approaches  Testing
The Wound Healing Center offers a full range of testing techniques, including laboratory tests, imaging studies, and blood flow tests. Your doctor will explain to you in detail about every test you require, including what to expect during the test and the meaning of the results.
Laboratory Tests
Laboratory tests examine the blood for select indicators that correspond to or suggest particular diseases.
- Sodium (Na+)
- Potassium (K+)
- Chloride (Cl-)
- HCO3
- Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine, a measure of kidney function
- Glucose, a measure of sugar in the blood
Hemoglobin A1c
Hemoglobin A1c, indicates a person's blood sugar over the last three months.
Lipid Panel
A lipid panel determines your risk factor for stroke, heart attack, and leg ischemia.
- Cholesterol
- High Density Lipid Protein (HDL)
- Low Density Lipid Protein (LDL)
Hepatic Function & Nutritional Values
Hepatic function and nutritional values are a series of tests that may help to determine baseline liver function. Some of the medication we prescribe may affect your liver function. We test for:
- Enzymes such as ALT, AST, GGT, and serum alkaline phosphotase
- Total protein
- Albumin, used to evaluate acute nutritional status and can also show a liver disorder or kidney disease
- Total protein
- Prealbumin, used to evaluate nutritional status over time
CBC
CBC with differential (complete blood count), screens for infection and many diseases.
- White blood count (WBC), measures how many white blood cells are in the blood
- Hemoglobin, determines the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood
- Hematocrit, measures how much space the red blood cells take up in the blood (for hematocrit levels below 30, a blood transfusion may be required before surgery)
- Platelets, represents the number of platelets in a given volume of blood; an abnormal value can signify excess bleeding or clotting
Coagulation Profile
ESR (ethrocyte sedimentation rate)
ESR is a reflection of infection.
TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
TSH is a test to help determine if you are hypothyroid.
Imaging Tests
All patients will receive X-rays of their limbs or feet if they have a lower extremity wound. We commonly request a bone scan, which determines if you have a bone infection. An MRI (magnetic resonance image) may also be ordered as needed. For abdominal wounds, a CT scan (Computed Tomography or CAT scan) can be useful to evaluate for an abscess or ventral hernia.
Blood Flow Tests
A Non-Invasive Flow (NIF) study, which includes an Ankle-Brachial Indices (ABI) test, shows whether the blood is circulating efficiently through the legs. Pressure cuffs are put on five locations: the thigh, the calf, the ankle, the foot, and above the elbow. Blood pressure is measured at each of these locations. A numerical comparison (ABI) is made between the pressure at the ankle versus the pressure at the arm:
- If the ABI is between 1.0 and 1.3, the blood flow is normal.
- If the ABI is below 0.9, you will be referred to a vascular surgeon for consultation.
- If the ABI is above 1.3, it may be a sign of calcification in the blood vessels. Calcium deposits in the arteries harden and cause elevated blood pressure. Diabetic patients may have falsely elevated ABI levels due to calcification.
If you have abnormal NIF results, you will be referred to a vascular surgeon. The surgeon will provide additional information about your circulation and prescribe any further tests or treatments you may need to improve it.
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