George LeVander visited The Sandhills Center for Wound Healing and Hyberbaric Medicine almost four years ago to receive treatment on his legs.

“They didn’t have all the machines they have now,” said LeVander.

The center used compression wraps to minimize the swelling and fluid resulting from it and LeVander is doing well.

He attended the Lunch and Learn event on Thursday at Sandhills Regional Medical Center to learn more about the Wound Center and the treatment they provide for wound patients.

Hazel Seibles, the program director, led a presentation on wound care and the center’s Hyperbaric chamber that is used to treat diseases.

Seibles felt this program was important to hold because few people in the area have knowledge of the center.

“The problem is that we are constantly seeing people who have amputations or horrible wounds, and we are wondering why they did not come sooner,” said Seibles.

She also explained that at times a person’s primary care physician may not be aware of the procedures the center has to offer because medical treatment is constantly evolving.

“In the past, the only treatment for infected bone was amputation, but now we can treat infected bone,” Seibles said.

She shared a story of a patient who already had a scheduled surgery date to amputate his leg. As a last resort he decided to visit the center and they were able to provide the care he needed to save his leg.

The hyperbaric medicine allows patients to sit in a clear acrylic chamber breathing in 100 percent oxygen. The treatments lasts around 90 minutes and almost 20 percent of patients who visit the center need the treatment.

Dr. Alan Coulson is a doctor at the center and explains that many times people ignore small symptoms that may lead to wounds.

“A lot of times people get pain in their legs and that is due to poor circulation. That is the time to see me,” Coulson said.

Critical wounds can be obtained from everyday events or by burns, cuts or punctures.

Seibles shared another example of a patient who had an abdominal wound for 17 years. She visited the center hoping that they could help her and they were able to close the wound.

“Knowing that someone’s life had come to a halt for 17 years and you were able to give them their life back makes it all worth it,” said Seibles.

Cameron Quick can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at cquick@yourdailyjournal.com.