When should I see a wound specialist instead of waiting?

If a wound has not clearly improved in two weeks, has not healed in four to six weeks, shows signs of infection like spreading redness, warmth, odor, or drainage, or if you have diabetes or circulation problems, schedule a wound evaluation promptly.

Do I need a referral for wound care?

No referral is required to be evaluated at our clinic. Walk-ins are welcome, and we coordinate with your primary care provider and specialists as needed.

What should I bring to my first wound care visit?

Bring a list of your medications, any wound supplies or dressings you have been using, and your insurance information. If another provider has treated the wound, records or photos of its history help us plan care.

Wound Care

A wound that is not healing deserves more than a bandage change. Our clinic is built around chronic and complex wound management, led by Lisa J. Rivera, MSN, FNP-C, WCC, a Certified Wound Care Associate with decades of critical care experience.

Call 803.883.4033 Request a visit

Wounds we treat

Every wound has a cause, and finding that cause is the first step of every treatment plan. We evaluate and manage the full range of slow-healing and chronic wounds, including:

Venous wounds, often on the lower legs, related to vein and circulation problems
Arterial wounds, caused by reduced blood flow to the skin
Diabetic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers
Burns that need professional cleaning, dressing, and follow-up
Callus buildup that hides or worsens underlying skin breakdown
Atypical wounds that have not responded to standard treatment

How treatment works

Your first visit starts with a full assessment: the wound itself, your circulation, your health history, your medications, and the daily realities that affect healing, like footwear, mobility, and nutrition. From there we build a plan that may include debridement (removing non-living tissue), advanced dressings, compression therapy, offloading pressure from the wound, and education so you know exactly how to care for it between visits.

Lisa also brings specialty experience in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, an advanced treatment used for certain hard-to-heal wounds. When a wound needs care beyond what our clinic provides, we coordinate referrals and stay involved in your healing, because limb preservation works best as a team effort.

Why early care matters

Chronic wounds rarely improve on their own, and time matters: the longer a wound stays open, the higher the risk of infection and complications, especially for people living with diabetes or circulation problems. If a wound has not clearly improved in two weeks, or has not healed in four to six weeks, it is time for a specialist evaluation. Walk-ins are welcome at our Sumter clinic.

Common questions

When should I see a wound specialist instead of waiting?: If a wound has not clearly improved in two weeks, has not healed in four to six weeks, shows signs of infection like spreading redness, warmth, odor, or drainage, or if you have diabetes or circulation problems, schedule a wound evaluation promptly.
Do I need a referral for wound care?: No referral is required to be evaluated at our clinic. Walk-ins are welcome, and we coordinate with your primary care provider and specialists as needed.
What should I bring to my first wound care visit?: Bring a list of your medications, any wound supplies or dressings you have been using, and your insurance information. If another provider has treated the wound, records or photos of its history help us plan care.