Typically, when a patient has stable eschar, you want to protect the eschar. So what we recommend just depends. One of our surgeons here in the wound center does not want a patient walking at all wheather they have eschar or any other type of heel wound. He advises this even if it is on the posterior aspect and not a surface that they will actually ambulate on. But, what we frequently recommend is that the patient get some kind of heel relief shoe. Consider the need for offloading. A company called Darco® makes a Darco® OrthoWedge with heel relief so that if a patient has a heel ulcer, they can wear this, and it would keep the pressure off the heel until it is healed. Typically, we do not want them wearing shoes even though it is stable eschar. Wearing shoes and putting pressure on it can make it go from stable to unstable. You really want to keep the pressure and the weight off of it until it heals completely.
Jennifer A Gardner, PT, DPT, MHA, CWS
Dr. Gardner has been a physical therapist for 15 years with the last 10 concentrated solely on wound care. She became a Certified Wound Specialist in 2001 and recently successfully passed her re-certification in October 2011. Currently, Dr. Gardner is employed at Underwood-Memorial Hospital as the Manager of Wound Care Services, supervising both inpatient wound care and the outpatient wound center. In addition, she has been adjunct professor at College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN for the last 7 years, teaching Integumentary to doctoral physical therapy students. Dr. Gardner has presented both nationally and internationally on various wound care topics and continues to participate in research studies on new concepts in wound healing.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/pt-screening-integumentary-system-scalp-4251PT Screening of the Integumentary System: Scalp, Hair, and NailsA 2-hour intermediate continuing education course for clinicians interested in strengthening their knowledge and skills in screening the scalp, hair, and nails as part of an integumentary systems review. Normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology are covered. The content is relevant to a primary care approach to physical therapy examination across the continuum of care including inpatient, outpatient, and wellness-based physical therapist practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 1 hour of general and 1 hour of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
A 2-hour intermediate continuing education course for clinicians interested in strengthening their knowledge and skills in screening the scalp, hair, and nails as part of an integumentary systems review. Normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology are covered. The content is relevant to a primary care approach to physical therapy examination across the continuum of care including inpatient, outpatient, and wellness-based physical therapist practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 1 hour of general and 1 hour of Direct Access CE credit.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/quicksand-or-concrete-capturing-outcomes-4354Quicksand or Concrete? Capturing Outcomes in Acute CarePatients seen in acute care practice demonstrate a wide variety of movement abilities, which can make the selection and use of standardized outcome measures a challenge. Learn what recommendations exist to inform decision making while reviewing some of the most practical outcome measures for acute care practice. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Patients seen in acute care practice demonstrate a wide variety of movement abilities, which can make the selection and use of standardized outcome measures a challenge. Learn what recommendations exist to inform decision making while reviewing some of the most practical outcome measures for acute care practice. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/wounds-in-patients-with-neurological-4357Wounds in Patients With Neurological ImpairmentsThis webinar introduces participants to the different types of wounds commonly found in patients with neurological impairments. It provides clinicians with basic treatment and risk reduction techniques to utilize in their practice settings. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This webinar introduces participants to the different types of wounds commonly found in patients with neurological impairments. It provides clinicians with basic treatment and risk reduction techniques to utilize in their practice settings. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/neuro-examination-back-to-basics-3862Neuro Examination: Back to BasicsThis course will provide participants with a practical guide through the comprehensive neurological physical therapy examination. The course will progress from the neurological screen through all the specific areas of examination common in persons with neurological diagnoses. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 2 hours of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
This course will provide participants with a practical guide through the comprehensive neurological physical therapy examination. The course will progress from the neurological screen through all the specific areas of examination common in persons with neurological diagnoses. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 2 hours of Direct Access CE credit.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/welcome-to-hospital-introduction-acute-3865Welcome to the Hospital! An Introduction to Acute Care Physical TherapyStarting a job in acute care, or returning to it after a hiatus, can be an overwhelming prospect! This course aims to provide the clinician with a structure that empowers them to walk into the hospital with knowledge and confidence. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Starting a job in acute care, or returning to it after a hiatus, can be an overwhelming prospect! This course aims to provide the clinician with a structure that empowers them to walk into the hospital with knowledge and confidence. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
