Failed wound progression
The wound is not becoming smaller, shallower, or healthier in appearance despite the current care plan. You do not need to wait a set number of weeks to seek an evaluation.
For patients & families
A complex wound deserves a clear next step.
If a wound is complex from the start, is not getting smaller, keeps reopening, or has taken over daily life, a surgical evaluation can clarify what is holding healing back and what should happen next.
Evaluation first
Not every wound needs surgery.
The purpose of the visit is to understand the wound, explain the options, and recommend only what is appropriate.
Our mission
Our mission is to transform access to wound care by bringing specialized expertise directly to patients, making high-quality wound care more convenient, responsive, and accessible regardless of location or mobility.
When to ask for another opinion
Look for a pattern, not one bad day.
Wounds can change from day to day. What matters is the direction over time. If appropriate care is not producing measurable progress, the plan deserves reassessment.
Repeated setbacks
It improves briefly, then reopens, breaks down, or returns after treatment.
Deeper structures
Bone, tendon, hardware, or a deep cavity may be involved, or the wound has significant dead tissue.
Ongoing infection concerns
Infection keeps returning, drainage is changing, or the surrounding skin remains inflamed.
Daily life is shrinking
Pain, pressure restrictions, drainage, or dressing needs make it difficult to walk, sit, sleep, or leave home.
The same plan keeps repeating
You are following instructions, but there is no clear explanation for why the wound is still stalled.
A useful question for your current clinician
“The wound is not progressing. Is there a structural, infectious, vascular, pressure, or tissue problem that needs surgical evaluation?”
Your evaluation, step by step
First, understand the wound. Then decide.
An evaluation is a clinical decision visit. It is not consent for surgery, and it does not remove your current care team from the process.
- 01Start
Request a review
You, a family member, or your clinician contacts CWS. The team confirms what records, photos, or imaging are needed.
- 02Virtual or in person
Meet the specialist
Many cases begin by video. The specialist reviews the wound history, prior treatment, symptoms, health conditions, and goals.
- 03Decision
Get a recommendation
You receive a plain explanation of the likely barrier to healing and whether continued wound care, more testing, or a procedure is appropriate.
- 04Next step
Continue with one coordinated plan
CWS communicates the recommendation to the referring team. If a procedure is recommended, the team explains preparation, recovery, and follow-up first.
Before the appointment
Bring the history, not a perfect file.
Do not delay asking for help because records are incomplete. The CWS team can tell you what is essential and help coordinate the rest.
Request an evaluation →- 01Recent wound photosIf available, include dates so the specialist can see change over time.
- 02Treatment historyDressings, antibiotics, offloading, compression, procedures, and how long each was tried.
- 03Medical contextMedication list, allergies, diabetes control, circulation studies, imaging, and recent labs if available.
- 04Your practical concernsPain, mobility, transportation, caregiver support, and what the wound prevents you from doing.
Possible recommendations
The answer may be surgery. It may not.
The value of a surgical evaluation is a more precise plan. Every recommendation depends on the wound, the patient’s health, and the expected benefit.
A better-defined wound-care plan
The specialist may recommend continued local care with clearer goals, additional testing, or correction of pressure, circulation, nutrition, or infection barriers.
A focused procedure in the clinic
Some wounds need a limited intervention that can be performed in an office setting, depending on depth, pain, tissue involvement, and overall health.
A procedure at Capital Surgical Center
When surgical treatment is appropriate, CWS explains the procedure, anesthesia plan, expected recovery, risks, alternatives, and follow-up before you decide.
Practical details
A simpler path into specialty care.
- Where care begins
- Many evaluations can begin by secure video. In-person visits are at 2112 F Street NW in Washington, DC.
- Insurance
- CWS accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and many commercial plans. Coverage varies by plan and service; the office can verify benefits before scheduled care.
- Your current clinicians
- Your primary doctor, wound clinic, home-health nurse, or facility team remains involved. CWS sends recommendations back after the encounter.
- Family and caregivers
- A family member or caregiver can help gather history, join the evaluation when authorized, and take part in planning for recovery.
Common questions
Before you request an evaluation.
Do I need a referral?
You may contact CWS directly. Some insurance plans require a referral or authorization, and the office can help determine what your plan needs.
Does an evaluation mean I am agreeing to surgery?
No. The evaluation is designed to identify why the wound is not healing and explain reasonable options. You decide whether to proceed after discussing benefits, risks, and alternatives.
Can my family member join the visit?
Yes, when you authorize it. A family member or caregiver can be helpful when reviewing wound history, medications, mobility, and recovery needs.
Will CWS take over all of my wound care?
Usually no. CWS is built to add surgical evaluation and intervention when appropriate, then coordinate with the clinicians already managing your care.
What if the specialist does not recommend a procedure?
You still leave with a surgical perspective on the wound and a recommendation that can be shared with your existing care team.
Virtual Care. Healing Results.
When healing stalls, don’t just wait.
Request a surgical wound evaluation, or bring the question to your next appointment: “Should I have this evaluated by a surgical wound specialist?”