Allografts

Allografts

Allografts are an advanced wound care treatment option used for chronic, complex or stubborn wounds. They are made from donated human tissue that may be able to help protect your wound and promote tissue regeneration when used as part of your wound care treatment plan.

During your consultation, your doctor will discuss treatment options that are available to you. Advanced wound care options like allografts may be available for patients whose wounds have not responded to other forms of wound care treatment.

Understanding Allografts

An allograft is defined as tissue that comes from another human being. For wound care treatments, allografts can be used as treatment options for wounds that need advanced wound care management.

When used as treatment for wounds, allografts can be used as a temporary biological cover while also helping to promote ideal wound healing conditions. There are various types of advanced wound care solutions that can be used with allografts to help improve healing.

How Do Allografts Work?

Healthy wounds will progress through a series of stages that lead to normal healing. When there is interference with this process due to conditions that cause poor circulation, diabetes, infection, inflammation or trauma, wounds can become chronic and fail to heal.

Allografts can help by:

• Providing coverage for your wound
• Allowing healthy tissues to grow
• Maintaining a moist healing environment
• Limiting evaporative moisture loss at the wound surface
• Stimulating cellular processes that lead to wound healing
• Protecting the tissue underneath the wound

Treating Wounds With Allografts

Patients with non-healing or chronic wounds are typical candidates for allografts. Some of the wounds that can be treated with allografts include:

• Diabetic ulcers
• Venous ulcers
• Arterial ulcers
• Pressure ulcers
• Surgical wounds
• Traumatic wounds
• Non-healing wounds

Just like other wound care decisions, our doctor will look at your specific wound, its size and depth, your overall health and how it has responded to other treatment methods.

When Are Allografts Used?

If you have a wound that has not shown signs of healing or progressing through the normal stages of healing, your doctor may recommend an allograft. Advanced wound care options are especially beneficial for those who have underlying medical issues that hinder circulation or prevent tissues from properly regenerating.

Your doctor will perform a wound evaluation to decide if you are a good candidate for an allograft and how it can be used as part of your wound care treatment plan.

What Should I Expect From Allografts?

Before the allograft is placed on your wound, your doctor will prep your wound by debriding it and making sure the wound bed is ready for a graft. The allograft will be applied directly to your wound and then secured in place.

Following treatment with an allograft, patients will usually return to the wound clinic to allow the wound to be monitored. Treatment plans can be adjusted based on how well your wound is responding to treatment.

Allograft Benefits

Allografts used in wound care can:

• Protect the wound bed
• Promote tissue regeneration
• Help maintain a moist wound environment
• Limit your wound’s exposure to air
• Be used in conjunction with other advanced wound care treatments
• Have the potential to improve overall wound healing

As with any medical treatment, your exact results will vary. Your overall health and different aspects of your wound will help determine your treatment plan.

Advanced Wound Care At SMC Physicians

At SMC Physicians in Northfield, we understand how frustrating wounds can be. That is why we work with each of our patients to create a wound care treatment plan that targets the source of the problem and helps you on your way to recovery.

We have advanced technology and treatment options available for patients who need specialized wound care. Part of our evaluation process includes determining if you are a good candidate for advanced wound care treatments.

Choosing SMC for Your Wound Care Treatment

Allow our specialists at SMC Physicians to evaluate your wound and determine if allografts may be able to help your wound heal. At SMC Physicians, we offer advanced wound care options that can provide you with additional resources to treat your stubborn wound.

Call SMC Physicians at (609) 377-5150 to learn more about allografts or request an appointment online today.

1601 Tilton Rd, Suite 3, Northfield, NJ 08225

Hours:
Monday: 8:30am-5pm
Tuesday: 8:30am-5pm
Wednesday: 8:30am-5pm
Thursday: 8:30am-5pm
Friday: 8:30am-5pm