A 75-year-old man with well-controlled diabetes mellitus developed a laceration on his right lower extremity (see Figure). It happened 3 weeks ago.
Figure.
He tells you that he first noticed it after he got out of his car. Since then, he has been using soap and water to clean the wound. He has been applying topical antibiotic ointment and covering the wound with gauze. He described some redness around the wound in the initial 48 hours, but this seems to have resolved.
He is presenting to you because the wound is not healing. He is not experiencing much pain. He denies any fevers or chills and has not noticed any erythema or significant drainage from the wound.
On examination, there is no edema in the lower extremities. His pulses are palpable and his sensation is preserved.
What therapy would you suggest?
This question appears in Med-Challenger Internal Medicine Exam Review with CME
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