Wound debridement is one of several important steps in treating foot and ankle wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers. Debridement is the process of removing non-viable tissue from new or chronic wounds to promote healing. Debridement is different from wound cleansing, which means taking things out of a wound, like dirt or foreign objects.
By removing it, healthy tissue is left behind to promote healing. After an injury or medical condition, if any dead or dying tissue remains, it might spread infection to other parts of the body. In the long run, the tissues won't help at all. Therefore, eliminating them will aid the body's healing process.
With a debridement, sometimes a "washout" technique is used. This is also called wound irrigation. Surgeons often use the term "I&D," which stands for "irrigation and debridement," to describe this type of procedure. Debriding wounds is a complicated medical process that requires a thorough look at the wound and the use of specialized treatments.