Philippi, W.Va. — On Friday, September 23, Broaddus Hospital’s Wound Care Center will host a free foot screening open to the public. The event will take place at the Wound Care Center at 6 Hospital Drive, Suite 2, from 8 am to 11 am.  Patients with diabetes, pre-diabetes or who are experiencing numbness or tingling in their feet are encouraged to attend.

In patients with diabetes, the natural healing process and pain reflexes can be disrupted. Poor circulation may develop in the legs and feet (peripheral arterial disease or PAD) or patients may have high blood sugar, or both, which slows down healing.

If a patient has nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), feet may feel numb. Or they may have no feeling at all. In either case, the injury may be painless. When that happens, blisters, cuts, and sores can go unnoticed. A foot screening can help identify any wounds that are of concern.

“Early detection of a non-healing wound is extremely beneficial to the patient in terms of treatment,” said Emily Starks, APRN, FNP-C. “Checking your feet at a foot screening may uncover a wound or condition a patient didn’t know they had.”

Walk-in appointments will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Broaddus Wound Care provides a comprehensive approach to treating patients with non-healing wounds. The team features clinicians with advanced training in wound care. It is open daily and no referral is needed.  Call 304.470.4122 for more information.