Berkeley Medical Center team heals complex wound, saves patient’s leg after years of treatment
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – After undergoing open-heart surgery, Charles Foreman, of Martinsburg, developed a severe wound on his right leg so advanced that amputation became a real possibility.
Over the next three and a half years, Charles became a long-term patient of the WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center Wound Care Center, working first with Dr. Zachary Ewart then Dr. Jason Turner, along with Certified Nurse Practitioner Dena Bowers and the clinic’s extended team of specialists.
His treatment included surgeries to remove dead skin, advanced skin grafts, wound vac therapy, and several vascular procedures performed Dr. Vivek Padha.
After a detailed evaluation, doctors found that disease in both the arteries and veins was affecting blood flow to the wound. Minimally invasive procedures were used to restore circulation and help the wound heal properly.
“By closely coordinating care with the wound center and leveraging the latest minimally invasive technologies, we were able to fully address the underlying causes of his wound,” Dr. Padha said. “His wound had completely healed, and at his follow-up visit he reported no pain, swelling, or recurrent wounds. Seeing patients regain their mobility and quality of life through innovative, technology-driven care is exactly why we do this work.”
Wound care is a specialized field that focuses on treating complex, slow-healing, or non-healing wounds often caused by diabetes, poor circulation, infection, pressure injuries, or complications following surgery. At Berkeley Medical Center, the wound care team provides advanced, evidence-based therapies to help patients avoid serious complications such as infection or amputation.
Charles, who also received regular home health visits during his recovery, credits his entire care team not only with saving his leg but also with offering care that felt deeply personal.
“Everyone I met there are good people,” he said. “They knew us so well by the end, it didn’t feel like going to the doctor, it felt like visiting friends.”
Now fully healed, Charles no longer needs dressings or daily wound care. “I’ve still got my leg,” he said. “That’s what matters. It was worth every bit of it.”
Asked what advice he would give someone just beginning a long road of wound care, Charles didn’t hesitate: “Don’t get down. Keep a good attitude. If you do that, and you’ve got a team like this behind you, you’ll make it.”