Johns Hopkins has trained physical therapists who provide comprehensive wound care services to various patient populations. Our therapists work in close collaboration with other specialists, such as plastic surgeons, dermatologists, lymphedema therapists, vascular surgeons and podiatrists.

Types of Wounds We Treat

• Acute and chronic wounds
• Pressure ulcers
• Venous and arterial wounds
• Bone and soft tissue infections
• Diabetic wounds
• Extremity wounds with edema
• Non-healing surgical wounds or grafts

Physical Therapy Approach to Wound Care

You will receive a thorough physical therapy evaluation to develop an individualized plan of care. The assessment and treatments may include:

• Measurement and documentation of the wound characteristics
• Cleaning and debridement of the wound (removal of any dead tissue) though hydrotherapy (pulsatile lavage) or sharp debridement to prevent or eliminate infection
• Selection and application of wound dressing to protect the area as it heals
• Compression wrapping and electrical stimulation to promote wound healing, improve blood flow and nutrient delivery to healing tissues
• Education of patient, family, and/or caregiver to perform wound care and dressing changes as needed at home.