EDITOR’S NOTE: Physicians, providers, and administrative staff who practice at Maui Health hospitals and clinics answer questions from the public in “Healthwise Maui,” which appears on Thursdays. Maui Health operates Maui Memorial Medical Center, Maui Memorial Medical Center Outpatient Clinic, Kula Hospital & Clinic and Lana’i Community Hospital and accepts all patients. To submit a question, go to the website at mauihealth.org/healthwise.

Q: What is a wound care center, and who should go there?

Barron Elleby, DPM, Podiatrist and Wound Care Provider, Maui Memorial Medical Center Wound Care and Hyperbaric Therapy: A wound care center is a clinic that treats wounds that are not healing properly. These can include diabetic ulcers, surgical wounds, bed sores, radiation injuries, and more.

If you have a wound that has not started healing after two weeks or has not healed completely after six weeks, you may be a candidate for a wound care center.

Your wound care team will examine the wound, determine why it is not healing, and create a treatment plan. The goal is to stop the wound from getting worse, prevent infection, and, of course, ultimately heal the wound.

Treatment at a wound care center may include:

• Debridement, or the removal of dead or infected tissue.

• Tests and scans to determine why your wound is not healing.

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which delivers oxygen to your body in a pressurized chamber to help you heal faster.

• Applying specialized dressings to protect the wound and prevent infection.

• Teaching you how to care for your wound at home.

A wound care center has different types of care providers, like: Surgeons, podiatrists, infectious disease specialists, nurses, and technicians. This team works together to heal your wound and address any underlying causes, so your wound doesn’t come back.

If you have a wound that is not healing, talk with your doctor about whether you should visit a wound clinic for more specialized care.

The Maui Health wound clinic is fully equipped to quickly heal wounds, with specialized staff and advanced treatments all in one place. For more information or to make an appointment, visit mauihealth.org/woundcare.

Q: What treatment can help with thumb joint pain?

Naomi Tamparong, NP, Orthopedic Surgery, Pacific Permanente Group: Thumb pain is more common than you might think, and it can make everyday activities like opening jars, texting, or even buttoning a shirt harder than they should be.

There are a few different reasons why your thumb may be hurting: trigger thumb, where the tendon gets inflamed and makes your thumb “lock” or catch; tendonitis in your wrist may affect thumb movement; carpal tunnel syndrome, which can cause pain, tingling, or weakness; and arthritis, one of the most common causes of thumb pain.

Treatment usually starts with non-surgical options such as resting the thumb and taking a break from activities that make it worse. Your doctor may want you to wear a splint to support your thumb or try anti-inflammatory medication or pain-relieving creams. An occupational therapist can also work with you to stretch and strengthen the muscles in your hand and wrist.

If the pain continues, your doctor might suggest a steroid injection to help improve inflammation and give you temporary relief.

If the pain is more serious and the joint is badly damaged or nothing else is helping, surgery may be necessary to fix the problem. Surgical options depend on your condition and other factors and may include: fusing the joint to stop the pain; repositioning the bones (called osteotomy); removing a small bone in the thumb joint (called trapeziectomy); or even replacing the joint using a tendon graft.

The good news is that most people feel a lot better with the right treatment – whether it’s rest, therapy, or surgery. Consult with a specialist on the most appropriate treatment for your case.

If thumb pain is getting in the way of your daily activities, our team of orthopedic specialists at Maui Health are here to help. We have board-certified orthopedic surgeons and specialists ready to work with you on a treatment plan for your lifestyle. Learn more or request an appointment at mauihealth.org/ortho or by calling 808-442-5951.