What it is
An amniotic graft is a thin tissue product made from the amniotic membrane, the inner layer of the placenta, which is donated after healthy births. The tissue is processed, preserved and supplied in sheets or other forms that a clinician can place on a wound.
These products belong to a broader group often called skin substitutes or cellular and tissue-based products. They are generally used on wounds that have not progressed as expected, such as some chronic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers or pressure injuries, after the underlying causes have been evaluated.
Regulatory status varies. Many amniotic products are regulated as minimally manipulated human tissue rather than as FDA-approved drugs, and not every product is treated the same way. Because of this, it is reasonable to ask a provider how a specific product is regulated.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Chronic wounds have traditionally been approached by first finding out why they are not healing. That often means looking at blood flow, blood sugar, pressure on the area, swelling, nutrition and infection.
Common approaches have included cleaning and removing non-healing tissue, choosing dressings that manage moisture, offloading pressure, compression for certain leg wounds, and treating infection. Other advanced options include negative pressure wound therapy and, for certain indications, hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Amniotic grafts have generally been considered as one of several advanced options, usually after standard care has been in place. Whether they are appropriate, and how well they work, depends on the wound and the person, and clinicians hold different views on when they make sense.
How the right wound care specialist may help
The right wound care specialist may help by looking at the whole picture rather than only the wound surface. A visit generally includes a health history, a review of medications and other conditions, a close look at the wound, and sometimes tests of circulation or other follow-up.
If a graft is being considered, a specialist may explain why it might or might not fit your situation, what the process looks like, and what other options exist. Only a licensed clinician can decide what is appropriate for you after an evaluation, and no outcome can be promised.
Questions worth asking include: What caused my wound and how is it staged? What are my treatment options, including alternatives to a graft? How is this specific product regulated? What is the expected healing time? Will my insurance cover it? For further reading on amniotic products specifically, amnioticdoctors.com is one resource, and it is not affiliated with WoundKare.
The whole-person view
Healing involves the whole person. Stress, poor sleep, pain, nutrition and mood can all interact with the body's ability to recover, and living with a long-term wound can be tiring and discouraging in its own right.
Some people find that body-based support such as Somatic Experiences helps them feel more settled while managing a long recovery, and talk therapy through Therapists.plus can offer a place to work through worry or frustration. These supports complement, and do not replace, medical wound care.
Somatic Experiences: trauma and emotional healing →Somatic Experiences: embodiment and movement →Therapists.plus: mind body connection →
Keep in mind
- Any sign of infection, such as spreading redness, red streaking, increasing warmth or pain, pus, foul odor, fever or chills, or a wound that is rapidly worsening, means you should seek medical care promptly.
- For heavy bleeding, exposed bone or tendon, signs of sepsis, or a deep or severely contaminated wound, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Amniotic and other skin substitute products vary in FDA status and insurance coverage, so ask a licensed provider about both before making decisions.
- Licensed professionals should guide your wound care. If you are in crisis or feeling overwhelmed, call or text the 988 Lifeline.
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
Frequently asked questions
What is an amniotic graft for wound healing?
An amniotic graft is a tissue product made from donated amniotic membrane that a clinician may place on certain wounds. It is considered by some specialists for wounds that are slow to heal. Whether it is appropriate depends on an evaluation by a licensed provider.
Is an amniotic graft FDA-approved?
It depends on the product. Many amniotic grafts are regulated as minimally manipulated human tissue rather than as FDA-approved drugs, and regulatory status can differ between products. Ask your provider how the specific product they suggest is regulated.
What kinds of wounds might be considered for an amniotic graft?
Specialists may consider grafts for some chronic wounds, such as certain diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers or pressure injuries, usually after the cause has been evaluated. Not every wound is a fit, and a licensed clinician makes that decision.
Does an amniotic graft guarantee a wound will heal?
No. No wound care treatment can promise healing, and results vary by person, wound type and overall health. A specialist can explain what to reasonably expect and what other options exist.
Does insurance cover an amniotic graft for wound healing?
Coverage differs by product, diagnosis and payer, so there is no single answer. Ask your provider's office and your insurer about coverage before starting, and ask what documentation may be needed.
What should I ask a doctor about an amniotic graft?
Ask about your wound's cause and staging, the treatment options available including alternatives, how the specific product is regulated, the expected healing time and what your insurance covers. It also helps to ask what the follow-up visits will involve.
Educational resource. WoundKare shares general information and connects people with independent wound care specialists. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.