Wound debridement is the removal of non-viable tissue from the wound bed to encourage wound healing. Wound debridement is an essential part of wound care and its role in the preparation of the wound bed is well documented. (Falanga, 2001; EWMA, 2004; Wolcott et al, 2009). Use the resources below to learn more about wound debridement. Read our article…
If wound healing is not successfully achieved using a conservative approach, through sterile dressings or topical antibiotics, for example, a surgical strategy is often the next course of action. However, a less invasive approach to wound healing, and one which is gathering support from both clinicians and researchers, is electrical stimulation.1–3 In this technique, one electrode…
Free daily wound care practice for your certification exam. Play today’s Woundle and Question of the Day, then study this month’s topic. Play today’s challengesThis month: Pressure InjuriesStudy by topicWhich certification?Free downloads Free Wound Care Certification Practice Quizzes WOUNDLE A free daily word puzzle for wound care clinicians. ? ☷ Guess today’s wound care term…
Many wounds seen by wound care specialists can be ascribed a vascular etiology, including arterial, venous, and diabetic wounds. In order to successfully manage wounds of this type, the underlying vascular dysfunction must first be addressed. A number of tests and measures are available for detecting arterial insufficiency, the simplest of which is an assessment…
Because of the known importance of good nutrition in improving healing in chronic wounds, an appropriate program of nutritional intervention should be implemented as quickly as possible once any nutritional deficit has been identified.1–4 Exploring why a patient is not eating or drinking properly can be an important first step in addressing any nutritional deficits….
Antibiotics have a vital role in wound management, both in the treatment and prophylaxis of infection. Depending on the circumstances, antibiotics may be administered systematically, topically, or via a combination of both routes.(1,2) Administering antibiotics topically generally allows a lower dose to be used, as the active component comes into direct contact with the microorganism…
Vasculitis is an inflammation and necrosis of the blood vessels, leading to hemorrhage, ischemia, and infarction.(1–3) Treatment of the condition is entirely dependent on the extent of the disease. In many instances, cutaneous vasculitis is a self-limited condition, relieved by leg elevation, avoidance of standing, and therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, more extensive…
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare but serious ulcerating skin disease causing painful ulcers on the legs and other parts of the body. Although pyoderma gangrenosum can affect individuals of any age, it is most common in people in their 40s and 50s. It tends to be associated with inflammatory conditions, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease,…
The term lymphedema describes a condition in which lymphatic fluid accumulates in the interstitium causing swelling and a feeling of heaviness or weakness in the affected area, usually the arms and legs.1 Lymphedema Classification Lymphedema may be classified either as primary or secondary. Primary lymphedema develops as a consequence of a pathologic congenital and/or hereditary…
Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is rapidly becoming a mainstay in chronic wound management.[1] This technique is a topical intervention widely used to treat problematic acute and chronic wounds that do not respond to conventional moist wound healing techniques. A negative pressure, typically -125 mmHg, is applied to the wound bed, removing excess exudate and helping…
