Chronic Wound

A chronic wound is a wound that does not heal in an orderly set of stages and in a predictable amount of time the way most wounds do; wounds that do not heal within four weeks are often considered chronic.

Chronic wounds seem to be detained in one or more of the phases of wound healing. For example, chronic wounds often remain in the inflammatory stage for too long.

Chronic wounds may never heal or may take years to do so. A chronic wound that won’t heal can prevent patients from being as active as they would like, impacting their family, social life, work and more. These wounds cause patients severe emotional and physical stress and create a significant financial burden as well.

It could even lead to complications such as infection and amputation.

In addition to poor circulation, neuropathy, and difficulty moving, factors that contribute to chronic wounds include systemic illnesses, age, and repeated trauma.

Other factors that may contribute to the formation of chronic wounds include an inflammation of blood vessel, low immunity, and restriction in blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen and glucose that is to keep tissue alive. Immune suppression can be caused by illnesses or medical drugs used over a long period, for example steroids. Emotional stress can also negatively affect the healing of a wound, possibly by raising blood pressure. Another factor that may contribute to chronic wounds is old age.