Chronic Wounds

Chronic Wounds

The Wound & Edema Center treats chronic wounds. Chronic wounds, also known as ulcers, are wounds that have a biological or physiological reason for not healing. The length of time the wound has been present is not an indicator of whether or not it’s chronic, although most chronic wounds have been present for an extensive period of time. The reason chronic wound care is so important is that unrecognized and untreated, wounds like a leg ulcer from a vein problem, a foot wound in a person with diabetes, a bed sore or an infected wound can have serious health complications if left untreated. Some examples of chronic wounds include diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, bedsores and pressure ulcers.

Is it “Chronic?”

If you’re unsure if your wound is chronic, check with your physician. One of the most common indicators of a chronic wound is the loss of skin or tissue surrounding the wound. Because healthy surrounding tissue is affected, intensive medical treatment, like that at the Wound & Edema Center, is required to stimulate healing.

When a chronic wound is identified, it needs to be carefully cleaned and examined by a physician. The medical team will develop a customized treatment plan to facilitate healing which may include things like hyperbaric medicine, special creams or prescriptions, or interventions like off-loading (creating a cover that keeps pressure off of the wound).

When Left Untreated

Untreated chronic wounds can grow which leads to serious complications, including tissue death. Furthermore, some are quite painful, and pain management is recognized as an important aspect of the chronic wound care process. Failure to adequately address pain can cause a decline in quality of life for the patient, and may stress the patient’s body, making it harder to heal. The goal of the staff at the wound center is not to just treat your wound, but to heal it as quickly and effectively as possible. This will help return you to the quality of life you were used to prior to your wound.