CHRONIC WOUND CARE

Chronic wounds are wounds that do not heal properly and last for a long time. They often include diabetic wounds (wounds seen in people with diabetes), pressure sores (also called bedsores), and vein-related wounds (venous ulcers). Sometimes, chronic wounds can also happen after surgery if there's an infection or healing problem, or after an accident that causes a large skin injury.

 

Treating a chronic wound usually takes a long time. The treatment depends on what caused the wound, but there are some basic steps: cleaning the wound, removing dead or damaged tissue, treating infections, and making sure there is enough blood flow to help the wound heal. If the person has diabetes, it’s also important to control their blood sugar levels.

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Removing dead tissue from the wound (a process called debridement) needs to be done carefully, and all unhealthy tissue should be cleaned away. This should continue until only healthy, living tissue is left. In some diabetic patients, parts of the bone inside the wound may also need to be removed. For large wounds, this might need to be done under local or general anesthesia.

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The wound should be checked regularly with proper dressing changes, and more cleanings (debridements) may be needed over time. In some cases, special treatments like oxygen therapy in a pressurized room (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) or vacuum therapy (also called negative pressure wound therapy or VAC) can help the wound heal faster.