A chronic wound fails to heal through the normal stages of repair. It does not progress through a normal, orderly, and timely sequence of repair. Chronic wounds stall in the inflammatory phase of healing. Left untreated, these wounds lead to serious complications such as infections & limb loss.
Professional wound treatment leverages the TIME framework for managing chronic wounds. TIME stands for-
- Tissue (debride dead tissue)
- Infection (control bacteria)
- Moisture (manage exudate level)
- Edges (wound closure)
By addressing these factors, wound care services help with quick and efficient healing.
Continue reading to know the common causes, risks, and professional treatment of chronic wounds.
What are Chronic Wounds?
A wound becomes chronic when it fails to progress through the normal healing stages. Generally, a wound that does not heal within about 4 weeks is considered “chronic”. Examples include ulcers on the legs (arterial or venous), pressure injuries (bed sores), and diabetic foot ulcers. Chronic wound care requires more resources, time, and specialized care. The common bacteria responsible for chronic wound infections include Staphylococci, Streptococci, and Streptomyces.
Major Types of Chronic Wound & Risk Factors
Explore the major kinds of chronic wounds and their risk factors.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
This type of wound is commonly caused by peripheral neuropathy & poor circulation in diabetes. About 25% of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. Neuropathy refers to minor injuries that go unnoticed and form an ulcer. Risk factors include-
- Loss of sensation
- Foot deformities
- Arterial insufficiency
- Uncontrolled glucose
Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores)
It occurs from prolonged pressure or shear on the skin over bony areas like heels, sacrum, etc. They are common in patients who are bedridden or wheelchair-bound. Older adults and people with chronic illnesses are at higher risk of this condition. Major risk factors-
- Immobility
- Moisture (incontinence)
- Poor nutrition
- Loss of sensation
Venous Stasis Ulcers
The main cause of this wound is chronic poor venous mostly in the legs. Risk factors involve-
- Varicose veins
- Obesity
- Deep vein thrombosis
Other factors that delay healing include smoking, malnutrition, corticosteroid use, and underlying diseases (like cancer or vasculitis). Chronic infection (such as osteomyelitis or repeated wound infections) also impairs healing.
What are Infected Wounds?
An infected wound means that bacteria have invaded the wound tissue and are causing damage. (Note: all open wounds are colonized by bacteria, but colonization alone is not infection.) Signs of infection include redness, warmth, swelling, pain, pus, or a bad odor. Infected chronic wounds often turn more severe and can spread locally or systemically (cellulitis, sepsis). Professional infected open wound treatment is important to reduce the risks of large wound size, deep wounds, immune suppression, or foreign bodies.
Professional Treatment Options for Wound Care
A specialized wound care clinic utilizes advanced therapies and treatment options when wounds are chronic or infected. Most effective treatment option includes-
Debridement
Removing dead or infected tissue is the primary step. Here are the popular options of debridement-
- Surgical: Sharp removal with a scalpel
- Mechanical: Wet-to-dry dressings or irrigation
- Enzymatic: Chemical ointments that dissolve debris
- Autolytic: Moist dressings that let the body’s enzymes break down tissue
- Biological debridement: Sterile maggots
Surgical debridement is the gold standard for dirty wounds; it quickly converts a necrotic wound into a clean one.
Advanced Dressings
Beyond basic gauze, many modern dressings are used to create an optimal healing environment. Wound characteristics choose dressings between-
Moisture-retentive dressings: Hydrocolloid, hydrogel, and transparent film dressings keep the wound moist and are used on clean wounds.
Absorbent dressings: Foams and alginates absorb heavy exudate.
Antimicrobial dressings: Specialized dressings impregnated with silver, iodine, or honey reduce bacterial growth in the injured area.
Occlusive vs. open: Clean wounds commonly use occlusive (sealed) dressings, while dirty or highly exudative wounds may need loosely covered (open) dressings to allow drainage.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Some wound care clinics offer HBOT treatment to treat chronic wounds. This treatment option includes breathing 100% oxygen under pressure to boost oxygen delivery to hypoxic tissues. HBOT helps to aid healing, especially for stubborn diabetic or radiation-induced wounds.
Bioengineered Skin Substitutes
This is an innovative wound care treatment where specialists replace damaged skin and promote regeneration.
Where to Specialized Wound Care Services?
If you are dealing with a non-healing, infected, or chronic wound, SAAK Health is here to provide you with the most effective treatment options. Our wound experts decide which advanced treatments to use and educate the patient on wound care. Close follow-up by our experts improves healing and reduces complications.
Conclusion
Chronic and infected wounds require careful, expert management. By addressing underlying causes and using these treatments from professionals like SAAK Health, healing can be promoted even in difficult cases.
The goal of expert wound care services is not just to close the wound, but to restore tissue health, prevent recurrence, and improve overall quality of life.