The following is a list of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Apligraf® and non-healing sore treatment.
Q What kinds of sores does Apligraf® treat?
A Apligraf® is indicated to treat non-healing diabetic foot sores that are older than 3 weeks and venous leg sores 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. It is a biological tissue regeneration therapy made to treat non-healing sores and wounds.
Apligraf® is placed directly on the sore. The wound is then covered with a non-adhesive dressing to keep it moist and 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 in stimulating the skin to repair itself. Apligraf® delivers the ingredients such as growth factors, cells, and proteins directly to the wound.
Q Who applies Apligraf®?
A A doctor or a specially trained nurse can apply Apligraf®. Apligraf® is an unique, advanced biological skin repair therapy, 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 sores and venous leg sores, 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 sores and venous leg sores?
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 sore 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 sore 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 biological skin repair therapy 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 sores. 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 a sore 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 the important ingredients (fresh cells, nutrients and proteins) that will help kick-start the healing process and allow the body to repair itself.
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.
- Superior healing compared to basic wound care:
Apligraf® heals more wounds (30% to 50% more) and heals them faster (in 1/3 less time).
- Active vs. passive wound healing:
Many wound therapies are designed to passively manage the wound. Apligraf® plays a more active role in stimulating the skin to repair itself. Apligraf® delivers the ingredients such as growth factors, cells, and proteins directly to the wound.
- A living therapy similar to our own skin:
Apligraf® is the only living cell based therapy, and is close in structure to natural human skin.
- Easy:
Apligraf® typically requires no daily maintenance. Dressings are changed once a week, depending on your wound type.
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