The Science & Objectives of Chronic Wound Care

Chronic wounds impose significant health and economic challenges, costing about $50 billion annually in the U.S. Guaynabo Vascular Specialists enhance healing and patient quality of life through advanced, specialized care. 

Chronic wounds are complex and challenging to treat, and their management has evolved significantly in recent years. According to Falanga et al. (2022), advancements in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of wound healing have enabled more effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment objectives for chronic wounds, though knowledge gaps remain in the field.

A chronic wound develops when an acute wound fails to heal within the expected time frame, which can range from a few weeks to up to six weeks. Chronic wounds or non-healing wounds require specialized care.

Raziyeva et al. (2021) emphasizes that chronic wounds fail to progress through the usual healing stages due to various pathophysiological factors, which disrupt cellular signaling and the inflammatory response. Physician-directed wound care can accelerate healing, prevent recurrence, and enhance quality of life. The following conditions benefit from comprehensive wound care:

• Arterial Ulcers: Resulting from hypertension, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis, arterial ulcers occur when reduced blood supply causes an ischemic state.
• Venous Ulcers: Representing over half of all ulcer cases, these ulcers primarily affect the lower limbs and are associated with conditions like deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins, where poor circulation leads to venous stasis and ulceration.
• Diabetic Ulcers: Common in uncontrolled diabetes, these ulcers result from poor blood circulation, impaired immune function, and neuropathy, eventually leading to skin breakdown and ulceration.
• Pressure Ulcers: Prolonged pressure and friction, especially on the back, ankles, and feet, can result in skin breakdown and ulceration (commonly known as bedsores).
• Infectious Wounds: Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections that are not effectively treated can lead to non-healing wounds.
• Radiation Injury Wounds: Excessive exposure to ionizing radiation (therapeutic or accidental) can weaken the immune system, damage tissue, and delay wound healing.
• Surgical Wounds: Incisions from surgery can become chronic wounds if blood supply to the area is compromised or if proper wound care is not maintained.
• Inflammatory Wounds: Often associated with autoimmune or connective tissue diseases, these wounds may arise from various disease-related or non-disease phenomena.
• Cancerous Wounds: Wounds that contain cancerous cells may resist healing.

Generally, wound care should be considered for any skin break that has not improved within 3-4 weeks. Healing may be impeded by factors such as swelling, infection, poor blood flow, or pressure. Wound care is recommended if you experience any of the following:

• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Wounds that fail to show progress after 2-4 weeks of standard care
• Significant deterioration, necrosis, soft tissue infection, or osteomyelitis
• Wounds that involve deep tissue structures or pose a threat to limb or life

Guaynabo Vascular Specialists (GVS) is dedicated to delivering exceptional, compassionate care to our patients and community. Our focus is on high-quality medical services, patient education, and coordinated care, all within a safe and supportive environment. Our leadership and accreditations ensure that you receive expert care, supervision, and guidance.

Falanga, V., Isseroff, R. R., Soulika, A. M., Romanelli, M., Margolis, D., Kapp, S., Granick, M., & Harding, K. (2022). Chronic wounds. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 8, Article 50. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-022-00377-3

Raziyeva, K., Kim, Y., Zharkinbekov, Z., Kassymbek, K., Jimi, S., & Saparov, A. (2021). Immunology of acute and chronic wound healing. Biomolecules, 11(5), 700. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11050700

Rodrigues, M., Kosaric, N., Bonham, C. A., & Gurtner, G. C. (2018). Wound healing: A cellular perspective. Physiological Reviews, 99(1), 65-114. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00067.2017