A typical wound, like a cut or a scrape, usually heals within a couple of days because our bodies have the incredible power of healing. And such wounds that do not last for a long time and heal themselves within a couple of days are called acute wounds.
But what about those wounds that do not heal, or a surgical wound that won’t close?
Surface wounds that do not heal themselves, or take a long time to heal, typically more than 3 months, are called chronic wounds.
This is when you need extra care for your wound, something more than just a bandage. For complex or chronic wounds, an advanced wound care center is the expert choice for effective treatment. They use modern tools and deep knowledge to figure out why the wound isn’t healing and give your body the boost it needs to finish the job.
Below, we will look at the serious sores that specialized wound care professionals treat and the amazing, advanced methods they use to help you heal completely.
What Makes a Wound Chronic or Complex?
A complex wound is an injury that is hard to heal or requires specialized treatment to promote recovery, and wound care centers are made for such wounds that are sensitive and not easy to heal.
- Diabetic wounds: for any diabetic patient, wounds on the feet are a serious risk, as diabetes causes damage to the blood sugar level in your body, and diabetes causes two major problems that stop healing.
- Poor blood flow: high blood sugar damages your blood vessels, which narrows the vessels, hindering the proper flow of blood. Especially in the feet and legs. Less blood means less oxygen. This is why any diabetic foot wound takes forever to heal.
- Nerve damage (neuropathy): diabetes can damage the nerves that lead to loss of sensation. You might not feel a small cut, blister, or sore, and you might allow it to worsen without even realizing it.
These wounds for diabetic patients are very dangerous, and they can quickly lead to severe infection, which can result in loss of a toe or a foot if not taken care of.
- Vascular wounds: These wounds are caused by problems with the way your blood moves.
- Arterial wounds: arterial wounds or ulcers are caused in the skin when there is insufficient blood flow in the affected areas. This typically happens on the lower leg and the feet. This happened because the arteries are blocked or damaged, which restricts the proper flow of oxygen-rich blood to the tissues.
- Venous Ulcers: Your veins are responsible for carrying blood back to your heart. If the veins in your legs are weak, blood can collect there, causing swelling and extra pressure. Over time, this compression therapy can damage the skin and create a venous ulcer. These wounds often need compression therapy to improve circulation and help them heal. compression therapy
- Surgical wounds: A surgical wound is caused by an incision made by a surgeon during a surgery. Typically, these wounds heal on their own, but sometimes they can take longer to close or get infected. This can be caused by inefficient oxygen-rich blood flow in the affected site.
Other chronic wounds that take longer to heal
- Burns: burn injuries from heat can cause major damage to the tissues.
- Deep tissue infection: an infection that has grown deep in the muscle or the bone.
- Atypical Wounds: Rare or unusual sores caused by less common diseases, which need a specialist to figure out the cause.
Advanced Treatment For Chronic Wounds
When simple treatments fail for chronic wounds, wound care centers offer more effective and advanced treatments.
To boost the natural healing ability of your body.
- Surgical Debridement: In this step, they carefully remove the damaged and infected tissue from the affected part. This is essential because dead tissue stops new, healthy tissue from growing and keeps germs hidden. By clearing this dead tissue, the wound can finally start the repair process.
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): In hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you breathe 100% pure oxygen while resting inside a pressurized chamber. It increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, which directly promotes the healing process of various conditions like wounds and infections.
- Ultramist and Softwave: it is this non-invasive technology that uses specialized high-frequency waves (like mist or sound waves) to reach deep into the tissue.
- Compression Therapy: This therapy is typically used for foot ulcers, where a thigh compression bandage is added to the wound. The pressure prevents blood from pooling, reduces swelling, and helps the veins push the blood back toward the heart more effectively.
Take Your Action Today; Choose a Professional Wound Care Center
If you are going through the same or a similar problem. And your wound hasn’t been healing for months. It’s time to take action.
The experts at tenMed Wound Care are ready to provide you with the advanced care needed to address the root causes of your non-healing wound. We use the specialized tools, from hyperbaric oxygen therapy to allograft applications, to ensure you get the best chance at a complete recovery.
Don’t let a chronic wound turn into a life-altering event. Reach out to TenMed Wound Care Hyperbaric Medicine today to start your journey towards healing.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1. How can I take a shower with my bandage on?
Answer. It’s important to keep the wound dressing clean and dry to prevent any infection. You can use a waterproof cover or a plastic wrap when showering. If the bandage gets wet, replace it with a new, clean, and dry one.
Question 2. Should I cover my wound all the time or let it “breathe”?
Answer. Letting air reach your wound is an outdated concept; it can slow the healing process. You should keep your wound slightly moist and covered. This promotes faster healing and reduces the risk of infection.
Question 3. What shoes or clothing are best for wound protection?
Answer. Choose footwear that doesn’t cause friction near the wound, and choose clothing that is soft and breathable. For foot ulcers, diabetic shoes or custom orthotics are highly recommended to reduce pressure and protect sensitive areas.
Question 4. What is debridement, and why is it needed?
Answer. Debridement is a process where dead or infected tissue from a wound is carefully removed. This step is crucial because damaged tissue can block healing and allow bacteria to thrive. Once this dead tissue is removed, healthy tissue can grow more easily.
Question 5. How does oxygen therapy or hyperbaric treatment help wounds heal?
Answer. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen levels in your bloodstream, improving circulation and speeding up the body’s natural repair process. It’s particularly effective for chronic wounds, diabetic ulcers, and infections that don’t respond to standard care.