2 weeks Ago
When you get a scratch or cut, you clean it up, put a bandage on it, and in a week or two, it’s healed. But what happens if your wound doesn’t heal? “Your skin is an organ that functions as a barrier and protects against bacteria entering your body,” said Dr. Timothy Gregory, founder of Coastal Wound Care in Charleston.
“When you have an open wound, it can become infected, and certain bacteria—such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)—can cause serious damage. If the infection spreads, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.” Dr.
Gregory has dedicated his career to helping wounds heal. He earned his M.D.
from SUNY HSC Syracuse and completed his emergency medicine residency at Madigan Army Medical Center/University of Washington, where he served as Chief Resident. He also served nine years in the Army. After working in emergency medicine, a colleague suggested that Dr.
Gregory transition into wound care. “As an ER doctor, you already have a significant amount of experience managing wounds, so it was a natural transition,” said Dr. Gregory.
“Over time, I developed an approach to treating patients that I believed was in their best interest.” This led him to open Coastal Wound Care in West Ashley on Labor Day 2023. “My vision of being able to provide better care for my patients without external influence became a reality,” said Dr.
Gregory. “We’re doing great work, and patients are happy. We’re growing and receiving many referrals, so I recently opened a second location in North Charleston.
” Dr. Anne Edwards, a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 38 years of experience in cosmetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery, has also joined the practice. Coastal Wound Care treats patients of all ages, but as you age, medical conditions can hinder your body’s ability to heal.
“For example, if you have diabetes or poor nutrition—which is common among the elderly—you might be on medications that affect your immune system,” Dr. Gregory explained. “Additionally, conditions like venous stasis disease and peripheral arterial disease, which impair blood flow to the legs and feet, can cause wounds that don’t heal.
” Many of Dr. Gregory’s patients suffer from diabetic foot ulcers. “If the infection worsens to the point where it reaches the bone or spreads to the bloodstream, the patient can become very sick and is at high risk of amputation,” Dr.
Gregory said. “A diabetic patient who undergoes a below-the-knee amputation has a three-year mortality rate of around 45%. That’s worse than many cancers.
” Amputation can also further endanger a patient’s health. “In South Carolina, the amputation rate for African Americans with diabetes is about 19% higher than the general population,” Dr. Gregory noted.
“This is often due to living in rural areas, lack of access to wound care centers, or inability to afford medication.” Dr. Gregory also treats breast cancer patients who have non-healing surgical incisions from mastectomies.
“We take care of burns and other non-healing surgical wounds,” he said. “We handle wounds from head to toe, though most of my patients have wounds in their lower extremities.” Patients at Coastal Wound Care undergo a comprehensive screening process, which includes a detailed medical history.
“We assess, measure, clean, and photograph the wound, and perform vascular testing if necessary to check blood flow,” Dr. Gregory said. “Based on this, we develop a personalized treatment plan.
” Treatment may involve removing non-viable tissue from the wound and using advanced wound dressings. “These aren’t the types of dressings you’ll find at your doctor’s office,” Dr. Gregory explained.
“Many people use hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, or alcohol to clean wounds, which can be damaging in the long run.” Dr. Gregory also utilizes specialized medications and advanced technologies like skin substitutes and vacuum-assisted wound closure.
“These technologies can significantly speed up healing,” he said. If your wound hasn’t improved significantly in four or more weeks, Dr. Gregory urges you to seek treatment at a wound center.
Treatment may take weeks or months, depending on the severity of the wound, but the sooner you begin, the better the outcome. “A common thing I hear is, ‘Doc, I’ve had three surgeons tell me they need to cut off my leg, and I don’t want to lose it. Can you help me?’” he said.
“These are complex cases that may take months to heal, but compared to losing a leg, it’s worth the time.” At Coastal Wound Care, no referral is needed to make an appointment, and in many cases, you can be seen almost immediately. “I’ve had patients who waited too long, and their toes turned black and dead,” Dr.
Gregory said. “If you have redness, swelling, pain, fever, excessive drainage, or a wound that isn’t healing, call me right away.” Dr.
Gregory works closely with primary care providers and referring physicians, sharing photographs and detailed progress notes to monitor patient progress. He offers a range of treatment options and works with patients facing financial challenges. “I can’t fix everything, but I work with my patients to create payment plans so they can still receive the care they need,” Dr.
Gregory said. For more information, contact Coastal Wound Care: Phone: (843) 483-0193 or (843) 554-9378 Address: 2060 Charlie Hall Blvd, Suite A, Charleston, SC 29414 5401 Netherby Lane, Unit 301, North Charleston, SC 2940 Website: www.coastalwoundcare.
com.
