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The following is a list of answers to frequently asked
questions (FAQs) about Apligraf®
and non-healing ulcer treatment.
Q What kinds of sores does
Apligraf® treat?
A Apligraf® is indicated to treat non-healing
diabetic foot ulcers that are older than 3 weeks and venous leg
ulcers older than 4 weeks that have not responded to conventional
therapy.
Q What makes Apligraf® different from other wound
therapies?
A Apligraf® is different because it is NOT a
cream, ointment, or traditional wound dressing. Apligraf® is a living, cell based product
that helps promote healing of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg
ulcers.
Apligraf® is placed
directly on the ulcer. The wound is then covered with a non-adhesive
dressing to keep Apligraf® in
place. The area is then wrapped with other dressings that are
changed weekly by the doctor or nurse. The healing process now
begins, and improvement of the wound can usually be seen within
weeks.
Many wound therapies are designed to passively manage a wound.
Apligraf® plays a more active
role by delivering to the wound living cells, proteins produced by
the cells, and collagen, which are important for healing.
Q Who applies Apligraf®?
A A doctor or a
specially trained nurse can apply Apligraf®.
Apligraf® is an unique,
advanced cell based product, but your doctor may not have experience
with this living technology. Though a doctor can order Apligraf®, it may not be a product he or she
is comfortable applying, as previous experience is sometimes
necessary.
A Wound Care Center is often the best place to get treated
for diabetic foot ulcer and venous leg ulcer, and to find Apligraf®. To a find a Wound Care Center
near you with Apligraf®
experience, you can click
here.
Q Does Apligraf® really work better than
traditional therapies for diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg
ulcers?
A Yes. When used in combination
with good wound care, Apligraf®
has been proven to heal up to 50% more sores in 1/3 less time or 33%
faster than with standard therapies.
Q How many applications of
Apligraf® will I need?
A That depends on the nature of
your ulcer and underlying medical condition. However, many patients
are treated with only one to two applications of this living
technology.
Q How quickly will I see results
with Apligraf®?
A Again, this depends on the
nature of your ulcer and underlying medical condition. Apligraf® begins to work as soon as it is
placed on the wound and improvement can usually be seen within
weeks.
Q Will my doctor have Apligraf®?
A Not necessarily. Since
Apligraf® is an advanced cell
based product requiring specialized application training, not every
doctor will be familiar with or know how to apply Apligraf®. You may have to go to a Wound
Care Center that has experience with Apligraf®, near you, which you can find when
you click here.
Q Is Apligraf® covered by my health insurance?
A Most likely Apligraf® is covered by your health
insurance when used for Diabetic Foot Ulcers or Venous Leg ulcers.
Apligraf® is a medical product
that is covered by a wide range of medical insurance plans, and
generally has positive insurance coverage. Organogenesis can
work with your wound care provider to determine your coverage.
Please have your wound care provider contact our reimbursement
personnel at:
Phone: 1-888-432-5232 Option #3
Email: Reimbursement@organo.com
Q What is a Wound Care Center,
and why should I get treated there?
A A Wound Care Center is a clinic specializing in
the treatment of non-healing wounds. Theses centers usually have
teams of physicians and nurses who work together to provide expert
wound healing as well as support for patients, their families
and caregivers through educational programs. Wound Care Centers are
often the best place to get an ulcer treated because they provide
advanced wound healing techniques and state-of-the-art wound
assessment, testing and treatment for people suffering from acute
and chronic (hard to heal) wounds.
Q How does Apligraf® work?
A When healthy skin gets wounded, the
proteins and growth factors in the skin stimulate the body to
regenerate new skin. This is the normal wound healing process.
However with certain diseases (diabetes, circulatory problems), the
skin healing cycle is broken, and non-healing ulcers and sores can
develop and persist. Apligraf®
delivers to the wound living cells, proteins produced by the cells,
and collagen, which are important for wound healing.
Q How does Apligraf® compare to other products?
Apligraf®
is:
- FDA Approved:
Apligraf® is an FDA approved
product that has been evaluated in multiple controlled clinical
studies and proven to be effective and to accelerate healing. Many
wound care products cannot make such claims.
- Better healing compared to basic
wound care:
Studies have shown that Apligraf®
heals more wounds than standard treatment alone, and does it
faster.
- Active vs. passive wound
healing:
Many wound therapies are designed to passively manage the
wound. Apligraf® plays a more
active role by delivering to the wound living cells, proteins
produced by the cells, and collagen, which are important for
healing.
- A living product resembling to
our own skin:
Apligraf® is the only product
FDA approved for both venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers,
containing two different types of skin cells combined with
collagen.
- Easy:
Apligraf® typically requires
no daily maintenance. Dressings are changed once a week, depending
on your wound type.
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