Chronic Wounds: Types, Causes, Treatment

Chronic wounds are persistent injuries that do not heal properly, requiring long-term management and specialized wound care techniques.
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Wound Care Management | Chronic Wound Prevention | Persistent Wounds | Non-healing Sores | Chronic Wound Care
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Jane Cox

Chronic Wounds FAQ


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What is a chronic wound?

1 St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, PA, USA. Chronic wounds are those that do not progress through a normal, orderly, and timely sequence of repair. They are common and are often incorrectly treated. The morbidity and associated costs of chronic wounds highlight the need to implement wound prevention and treatment guidelines.

What causes chronic wounds?

People who develop chronic wounds often have an underlying condition that causes even minor pressure to lead to wounds that then no longer heal. The main factors that are involved include the following: Poor circulation: People with poor circulation – for instance, as a result of peripheral artery disease (PAD) – have narrow arteries.

What are the most common chronic wounds?

They are common and are often incorrectly treated. The morbidity and associated costs of chronic wounds highlight the need to implement wound prevention and treatment guidelines. Common lower extremity wounds include arterial, diabetic, pressure, and venous ulcers. Physical examination alone can often guide the diagnosis.

What should providers know about chronic wounds?

All providers should be familiar with basic wound prevention, identification, classification, and treatment approach, all of which are outlined in this article. Appropriate prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic wounds is important for providers across specialties.

Are chronic wounds still a problem?

Even up to a few years ago, the management of chronic wounds relied on standards of care that were outdated. However, the approach to these chronic conditions has improved, with better prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic Wounds References

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