Chronic wounds can lead to serious medical complications, including limb loss or death. They can occur in people with limited range of motion or conditions such as neuropathy. Treatment includes wound care, regular dressing changes, and antibiotics to fight infection. Pain management is also important.
A chronic wound is a wound that fails to heal as expected. If not properly treated, a chronic wound can lead to serious medical complications, including loss of limbs or even death. If a patient has such a wound, they may be referred to a wound care specialist for treatment, although other medical professionals may also supervise treatment and recovery. It is important to treat chronic wounds promptly and aggressively.
The term ‘chronic wound’ often conjures up an image of a wound that refuses to heal over an extended period of time, and this is a common trait of chronic wounds. However, there are no specific time definitions on such wounds and a wound can be identified as chronic when it is relatively fresh. The most prominent characterization is the inability to heal or go through the various stages of healing as expected. For example, if a wound doesn’t begin to heal and close within a few days, it may be a sign that it is developing into a chronic wound.
Some examples of chronic wounds include diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers and pressure ulcers. These are most commonly seen in the elderly, people with diabetes if they have diabetic ulcers, and people with conditions such as neuropathy. People who have a limited range of motion may also be at risk for chronic wounds, both because they can develop pressure sores that can ulcerate over time and because their circulation may be poor, making it difficult for wounds to heal.
When a chronic wound is identified, it must be thoroughly cleaned and the doctor must confirm that it is not a malignant tumor or other type of wound. Then, the patient is educated in wound care and an aggressive wound care regimen is initiated. This usually includes regular dressing changes, wound monitoring, position changes to minimize pressure, and exercise advice. Patients may also receive special padding to limit pressure on the wound, along with antibiotic medications to fight the infection.
Chronic wounds are at greater risk of infection and inflammation. They can also grow, leading to tissue death and associated problems. Additionally, some are quite painful and pain management is recognized as an important aspect of the chronic wound care process. The inability to adequately deal with pain can cause a decline in the quality of life for the patient and can put stress on the patient’s body, making healing more difficult.
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