Ultrasound was used successfully for years as a non-invasive diagnostic tool before its potential benefits in wound healing were first investigated.1 Ultrasound waves, formed when electrical energy is converted to sound waves at frequencies above the range of human hearing, are now used routinely in wound management and can be transferred to tissue through a…
Electrical currents within the human skin were discovered as far back as 1860, and it has since been shown that the skin surface is negatively charged compared with the deeper skin layers, and that wounds have a positive potential compared to the surrounding intact skin. Electrical Stimulation Current Types Knowledge of the underlying electrical activity…
The use of irrigation has long been known to reduce bacterial content. Whirlpool therapy, one of the oldest adjuvant forms of treatment for wounds still in use today,1,2 is a popular form of wound irrigation. However, this therapy is gradually being replaced by the technique known as pulsed lavage.2 LJ Haynes Study The move towards…
Whirlpool therapy, or hydrotherapy, is one of the oldest adjuvant forms of treatment for wounds still in use today.1,2 It was originally used in the management of pain, but later found a use in wound management, in particular in the management of burns patients. It is now commonly used to facilitate debridement in infected wounds,…
As well as systemic and local factors, a number of the wound’s own inherent characteristics affect the rate of wound closure and wound healing. It is important to understand these factors so that they can be managed optimally as part of an overall strategy to help achieve wound closure. There are eight wound characteristics that…
Although honey has been used in wound management for centuries, and is mentioned in the Koran as a medicine for all disease, its popularity declined with the increasing availability of modern antibiotics, antiseptics and improved surgical techniques. However, with the continuing battle against wound infection and interest in the antimicrobial properties – honey in wound…
An accurate wound assessment and diagnosis, as described in previous blog posts, is vital for understanding the origin and extent of the wound pain. Once the pain has been fully investigated, pain management strategies can be put into place. Underlying Cause = Underlying Source many cases, the underlying cause of the wound is also the…
A wealth of academic research has been devoted to the assessment, diagnosis and management of wound pain. A review of the resulting literature reveals the full scale of the problem, indicating that the vast majority of patients with chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers and venous leg ulcers suffer from pain at the wound site…
Wound dressings are sometimes described as passive, active, or interactive. While passive wound dressings simply serve a protective function, active dressings actually promote healing through the creation of a moist wound environment. Interactive wound dressings, on the other hand, not only create a moist wound environment but also interact with the wound bed components to…
Hydrocolloids are occlusive or semi-occlusive dressings consisting of a combination of gel-forming polymers that absorb exudate slowly by swelling into a gel-like mass. Hydrocolloids have different absorption capabilities depending on their thickness and composition. Upon removal, a residue commonly remains within the wound bed, which is often mistaken as a sign of infection. Although sometimes…
