Local farmer Jerry Paul has long suffered from poor circulation in his legs. In fact, several years ago, he lost his right leg through amputation and until recently, thought he was going to lose his left leg as well. That was before he discovered the Wound & Hyperbaric Center at McLaren-Lapeer Region. After yet another bout with large ulcers in his left leg last January, Paul came to McLaren completely exhausted, disillusioned and with little hope. It was then that he met Mohamad Arja, M.D., an Internal Medicine physician who also serves as Medical Director of the Wound & Hyperbaric Center. Prior to seeing Dr. Arja, he had sought, and received, unsuccessful treatments for more than 18 months from a clinic outside of Lapeer County. He was told that nothing else could be done for him and he began to accept the fact that amputation of his remaining leg was imminent. Needless to say, he was still skeptical after being referred to the Wound & Hyperbaric Center at McLaren-Lapeer Region.
“I had been dealing with multiple leg ulcers on my lower left leg for the past 18 months,” said Paul, a resident of Fostoria who also is a diabetic. “But none of the treatments worked and my wounds showed no signs of healing.” Since coming to the Center, Paul has made significant progress. Currently, he is being treated for just six small wounds, is improving weekly and actually has been able to once again start caring for his farm. “I can’t believe the turnaround,” he said. “The care I have received has been excellent. I believe Dr. Arja saved my leg."
According to Dr. Arja, M.D, the center has helped many other area residents with their wound care needs. “While most wounds heal through a natural process, not all do,” Dr. Arja said. “A wound that doesn’t heal properly can put patients at risk for infection or more serious complications. “Our Wound & Hyperbaric Center offers patients high-quality services in a convenient setting that is close to home,” he added. “Our multi-disciplinary team, which features local physicians who have served Lapeer County residents for many years, specializes in treating acute and chronic hard-to-heal wounds using a clinical, evidence-based approach and advanced techniques.”
Besides Dr. Arja, the Center staff includes physicians Ratan Rajani, M.D., General Surgery; Duane Rowley, Jr., DPM, Podiatry; Mazen Najjar, M.D., Infectious Disease; and Gordon McClimans, II, D.O., Orthopedic Surgery.