Wound care is a high-demand service. Brittni Johnson, PT, DPT, averages over 85 monthly wound care treatments in her physical therapy practice with RiverView Health’s Rehab Services Department and Home Care.
Patient location doesn’t hinder Johnson’s treatment abilities. She treats patients in the hospital, in their homes through Home Care, and in the outpatient setting in Rehab Services.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health estimates 6.5 million people in the United States suffer from chronic wounds – wounds that do not heal properly in a timely manner. As the population ages, obesity rates increase, and diabetes cases climb, chronic wound cases are also expected to rise.
The impact of chronic wounds on the health and quality of life of those who suffer from them is immeasurable. Patients with chronic wounds may experience chronic pain, loss of function and mobility, increased social stress and isolation, depression and anxiety, prolonged hospitalization, increased financial burden, and increased morbidity and mortality.
Holistic Approach for Overall Recovery
As a physical therapist, wound care is just one of Johnson’s specialties; however, the service has become her busiest, which may surprise some people. “Physical therapists often get forgotten as wound care providers,” she shared. “However, a physical therapist’s expertise in tissue healing, mobility, circulation, and functional independence directly supports wound healing. I bring a holistic approach that focuses not only on the wound itself but also on the patient’s overall recovery and rehabilitation.”
Johnson works to learn how the wound came about and teach the patient how to prevent future wounds. She establishes a specific treatment plan for each patient determined by the type of wound. “My patients see the wounds improving, and in turn, are more compliant to my recommendations, whether it be regarding daily foot assessment, limb elevation and compression, hydration, or management of underlying diseases.”
Johnson’s physical therapy practice offers many benefits for patients, including the fact that she can monitor their wounds more closely for complications, especially post-op, by seeing them up to three times a week. The increased frequency of visits improves patient outcomes and reduces emergency room visits and re-hospitalizations, she shared. Longer treatment sessions — 45-60 minutes per session — allow Johnson more time to debride, cleanse, and properly treat the wound. She also uses this time to communicate with her patients, help build rapport, and provide time for education. According to Johnson, educating the patient, caregivers, and family members regarding wound care and dressing changes is vital to recovery and the prevention of future wounds.
Healing Options for Chronic Wounds
The list of wounds Johnson treats is long, including:
Pressure ulcers
Dehisced wounds/post-surgical complications
Vascular wounds
Neuropathic wounds
Wounds associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Traumatic wounds with and without surgeries
Skin biopsy complications
Burns
Amputations
Many patients who have tried other treatments and providers without relief have ultimately found healing through Johnson’s services. “We’re talking miracles here,” said a previous patient of Johnson’s who dealt with a wound on her heal for six years until she had successful treatment with Johnson.
Some of the treatments Johnson provides include:
Selective Sharps Debridement – removing dead tissue while leaving healthy tissue intact
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (Wound Vac) – using a pressure (suction-like) to remove fluid and debris, promoting blood flow, and encouraging tissue growth
Total Contact Cast – a non-removable cast to treat foot ulcers, fractures, and other conditions by redistributing pressure and offloading areas
Grafix – a cellular tissue-based product made up of human placental tissue to stimulate and enhance wound healing
Johnson, who said she’s always been fascinated by wound care, is continuously studying and improving her wound care skillset to stay up-to-date on standards with both clinical evidence and patient outcomes. She’s also preparing to take the Certified Wound Specialist exam in 2025.
If you are dealing with a chronic wound or have questions about wound management services available at RiverView, talk to your primary care provider or call Rehab Services at 281-9463.
