Reason for Admission: Wound care for vasculitic ulcers to bilateral lower extremities
Hospital: PAM Health Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital of San Antonio
Jo-Ann Fry is someone who has a high pain tolerance who can usually manage small medical problems on her own. She usually tries to avoid going to doctors if she can. When she noticed two small pimple-sized wounds on the back of both her calves, she treated them at home with medical cream and wrapping, but they did not improve. In fact, after two months, the wounds had gotten larger and she found the pain completely intolerable and went to urgent care for help.
Urgent care referred Ms. Fry to the specialized outpatient wound care program at PAM Health Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital of San Antonio. During her consultation, extensive time was spent debriding and cleaning the wounds to set her up for her healing journey. Her wounds were wrapped and she was given medication with a follow-up appointment to discuss next steps.
As part of her treatment plan, Dr. Hartmann performed three skin grafts on Ms. Fry’s lower extremities and used the skin substitute kerecis. To accelerate the healing, she had bilateral lower extremity wound vacs and came to the PAM Health’s wound care center for hyperbaric oxygen therapy where she was scheduled for a total of 32 total dives of 90 minutes each. Ms. Fry admitted that she was initially scared about the HBOT chamber, but when she was told it was like scuba diving, it eased her mind. That’s because she had done scuba diving as a high school student in California. After her first time in the chamber, she said it was no big deal. Ms. Fry also said Dr. Hartmann changed her mind about doctors because of how well she explained her options, educated her and her family, and continually checked in on her.
During her wound care treatment, Ms. Fry also learned that she was diabetic and had venous stasis, which were both factors that contributed to her wounds. However, now those conditions are being controlled through medication and an interdisciplinary approach.
Throughout her care, Ms. Fry continued to work as much as possible. She works from home as a dispatcher and being independent is important to her. Since starting her treatment, she has seen a huge improvement in being able to get up and do more things on her own, which is a wonderful feeling compared to where she was a few months ago.
