Chronic Non Healing Wounds

Overview

Chronic non-healing wounds are wound which does not improve after four weeks or eight weeks. Some of the examples of chronic non-healing wounds are diabetic foot ulcers, venous related ulcers, non-healing surgical wounds, pressure ulcers, wounds due to metabolic disease, a wound that keeps on breaking down. The complication of chronic non-healing wounds is infection particularly by pseudomonas and staphylococcus. This infection can later cause sepsis or septic shock. Some of the presenting symptoms are worsening pain on the wound, redness, warmness of the wound, foul-smelling wound, and oozing discharges or pus from the wound. Common sites of the chronic non-healing wounds are feet, ankles, heels, calves, and sole of the foot. For those who are immobilized, usual sites are hips, thighs, and buttocks. Investigations such as blood glucose level, full blood count, blood culture and x-ray can be done to find out the source or if any complication is occurring. X-ray to rule out any osteomyelitis from happening. Treatment is to treat the underlying cause and prevent complications from occurring.