What is a chronic wound?
How is a chronic wound treated?
How can chronic wounds be avoided?
Who can benefit from treatment?

What is a chronic wound?

A chronic wound occurs when the body is unable to heal damage to the skin or underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, venous or arterial insufficiency, diabetes, lymphedema, acute injury, or burns. Under normal circumstances, the body heals a wound in three stages: the inflammatory stage, the proliferative phase, and the maturation stage. In a chronic wound, the body's healing doesn't progress past the inflammatory stage.

How is a chronic wound treated?

The presence of a non-healing wound can be a very complex problem that must be dealt with on a multitude of levels. A patient with a chronic wound is likely to be experiencing pain and discomfort, loss of mobility, emotional stress, and social isolation. In addition to treating the wound, the medical team must recognize the effect of the wound on the whole patient and address those issues accordingly.

Forté therapists thoroughly evaluate the wound and its underlying causes and assess its impact on the patient, including loss of mobility, pain and other factors. Depending on the findings, treatment may involve topical dressings, ointments, compression, electrical stimulation, or negative pressure devices.

A patient can expect to receive treatment one to three times per week with the duration dependant on the severity of the wound.

How can chronic wounds be avoided?

• If you have diabetes, be sure to wear shoes at all times and check your skin daily, especially at the feet, for breakages in the skin, calluses, or reddened areas.
• Eat a well balanced diet. Seek advise from your physician or dietician about your specific diet requirements.
• Remain as mobile as possible. Bed-ridden patients must change positions at least every two hours. People in wheelchairs must perform pressure relief maneuvers every 30 minutes.
• Many seating and mattress surfaces are available for patients who are at risk for developing pressure ulcers. Consult your physician or physical therapist about available options for your special needs.
• Individuals with chronic swelling due to venous insufficiency may be at risk for developing wounds. Keep swelling to a minimum by wearing appropriate support stockings. Check with your physician or physical therapist about the proper compression for your specific needs.

Who can benefit from treatment?

Anyone with a non-healing wound would benefit from an evaluation at Forté Physical Therapy. Appropriateness of treatment at the clinic will be determined on an individual basis.