Wound-care guide · Referral sources
When wound care needs vascular, podiatry or surgical escalation
Local wound treatment may not be enough when blood flow, foot structure, deep infection, exposed tissue or a surgical complication is driving the problem.
Match foot and ankle problems to podiatry when appropriate
Return surgical complications to the responsible surgeon
Common escalation triggers
The wound and the patient’s condition determine urgency.
- Cold, pale, blue or black tissue or rest pain
- Deep infection, abscess, exposed tendon or bone
- Foot deformity, pressure recurrence or offloading failure
- Dehisced incision, graft failure or suspected surgical complication
Information to send
A focused referral helps the receiving specialist act faster.
- Wound location, duration, measurements and tissue findings
- Pain, pulses, temperature and color changes
- Relevant imaging, vascular testing, cultures or operative notes
- Current treatment and reason for escalation
Emergency findingsSudden loss of circulation, uncontrolled bleeding, severe systemic infection or exposed internal tissue requires emergency evaluation.
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