Non-healing wounds impact nearly 7 million Americans; being proactive can help the healing process

Non healing wounds are a more common health issue than many would think, but it is not an ailment that one has to simply live with. Through the utilization of wound care centers and treatment modalities specifically designed to heal chronic wounds, one can find relief and healing.

“As a patient you have a voice in your care as you are the most important person in your healing journey,” Tiffany Crawford, a Wound Care Center Director, said.

According to statistics provided by Healogics, there are nearly 7 million Americans dealing with a non-healing wound. Research has shown that many live with the nonhealing wound simply for lack of awareness of treatment options and long-term impacts of not seeking treatment. If a non-healing or chronic wound is left untreated, worst case scenario can lead to severe complications or amputation.

“Healing a chronic wound can be a lengthy process and sometimes will include daily treatments,” Crawford said.

Wound Care Centers, located around the nation, offer wound consultation or evaluation, diagnostic and ongoing assessments and treatments, non-invasive vascular studies, specialty wound dressings, cellular and tissue based products, compression therapy, treatment of wound infections, patient and family education, pressure off-loading devises and footwear debridement, and negative pressure wound therapy-state-ofthe-art hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

The number of people dealing with non-healing or chronic wounds is not specific to a certain age group, but has been shown to impact those with diabetes and vascular disease issues at a higher rate and can lead to more severe complications. Seeking treatment before the wound progresses is an important part of the healing process and can make a difference in the rate at which the wound can heal and the lasting impact left from the wound.

“As with any health issue, early detection is key. The

earlier we can identify the problem and get a treatment started the better chance there is to lessen the impact and severity of the damage,” she said. “Non-healing wounds limit quality of life and sometimes can limit life expectancy. If left untreated non-healing wounds can lead to sever complications and delays in care have led to amputations. During the pandemic, amputation rates increased.”

When determining if a wound is non-healing and in need of specialized wound care treatments, a few common indicators include: diabetic, neuropathic, pressure and ischemic ulcers, venous insufficiency, traumatic sounds, surgical wounds, vasculitis, burns, peristomal skin irritations, and other chronic non-healing wounds.

“The type of treatment modality that will be used will be determined by the type of wound, along with a few other factors,” Crawford said. “The healing process for non-healing and chronic wounds takes a dedicated partnership between patient and care team. The patient has to be invested in the healing

process as much as the provider and care team.”

There are those wounds that will require a higher level of treatment such as the HBO (hyberbaric oxygen therapy). A few of those indicators are: diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities, soft tissue radionecrosis, chronic refectory osteomyelitis, comprised skin grafts and flaps, actinomycosis, cruch injuries, actue traumatic peripheral ischemia, progressive necrotizing infection/fasciitis, acute peripheral arterial insufficiency, acute carbon monoxide intoxication, cyanide poisoning, decompression illness, gas embolism and gas gangrene.