When a surgical wound, skin ulcer, or other kinds of wound proves at risk for non-healing, referral to a rehabilitation hospital or wound care clinic may be in order. Here are the details on why wounds don’t heal well, what medical interventions can improve them, and where you can go for outstanding wound care in Sherman, TX.
Sources of Non-healing Wounds and Their Medical Assessment
Typically, people experience non-healing wounds from poorly controlled diabetes, surgery, pressure from prolonged bed rest, poor peripheral circulation (ischemia), and infection from bacteria and other microorganisms. Healthcare providers classify a wound as non-healing when complete closure and infection-free recovery do not occur within five to eight weeks of the initial incident or examination.
Often, many health problems contribute to the lack of progress in wound healing. It’s up to a wound care team of physicians, nurses, and physical therapists to determine a course of action. Care plans are highly individualized according to patient needs.
Assessment of chronic or non-healing wounds involves:
- Visual inspection and measurement of the site
- Blood tests
- Wound cultures to identify sources of infection
- Imaging studies, including digital X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as needed
Also, it’s paramount to identify and treat any underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or peripheral artery disease, as part of the complete recovery and rehabilitation process.
Treatment Options for Non-healing Wounds
Non-healing wounds require skill on the part of the medical team as well as patience and persistence on the part of the individual who has the wound. Sterile dressings and compression wear (stockings) sometimes help with more superficial wounds. Other wounds need surgical debridement of infected areas. Negative pressure wound therapy, or NPWT, increases healthy circulation, drains fluid, and provides therapeutic compression to the affected area.
High-tech hyperbaric chambers have helped scores of diabetic patients speed up the wound-healing process. Usually installed in a hospital-based wound care clinic, a hyperbaric chamber typically increases the air pressure a patient experiences and floods the wound with additional oxygen. Concentrated oxygen speeds healing through suppression of the activity of bacteria in the wound.
When Does a Person Need Hospitalization or a Wound Care Clinic?
Much depends on the severity of the chronic wound and the patient’s overall health and age. Some patients greatly benefit from in-house care in a rehab hospital which takes a multi-pronged approach to wound healing. This kind of care includes medical assessments and treatments, smoking cessation, physical and occupational therapy, and nutritional support. Patient education greatly decreases the chances of wound recurrence, particularly for people with diabetes and poor venous and arterial circulation in the extremities.
Carrus Health-Rehab Hospital in Sherman, TX
If you have a wound that is not healing properly or has become infected, visit Carrus Health in Sherman, Texas. Backed by years of experience, our healthcare team can recommend and provide treatment that will help your wound to heal so you can prevent further complications.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at (903) 870-2600. We look forward to helping you heal as quickly as possible so you can get back to the life you enjoy.
