The body is designed to repair its own wounds. But it’s a function many of us take for granted, with an estimated 6.5 million people in the US suffering from wounds that don’t improve. When the body doesn’t restore wounds like it should, it can be frustrating – and potentially even life-threatening. When the body needs extra support, the first line of defense tends to be antibiotics and surgical intervention. But there is a new option on the market that has both patients and providers optimistic. Learn more about a new approach to wound care and why it’s a safe and effective treatment for chronic wounds.
Chronic Wounds: Symptoms and Causes
A chronic wound does not improve in the normal amount of time, typically within four to six weeks. To restore a wound, the body goes through four key phases:
- Hemostasis: clotting
- Inflammation: swelling that occurs as your body’s materials move to the wound site and microbes are pushed out
- Proliferation: a protection layer of tissue is formed
- Remodeling: the rebuilding of tissue
After 30 days, a wound should be showing signs of improvement. If you’re not seeing scabs or new tissue growth, be on the lookout for these symptoms that something could be wrong:
- Tenderness and pain that get worse
- Swelling and redness that is spreading
- Discharge from the wound
- A change in color
- Numbness around the wound
If anything interferes with one or more of those four stages of the process, the wound might not recover in the normal time frame. The most common reasons include:
- Infection
- Poor circulation
- Poor nutrition
- Age
- Medical conditions, such as diabetes
- Trauma
It’s critical to watch for these symptoms, as a wound that doesn’t improve by 53% within the first 30 days is unlikely to recover completely within 12 weeks. And that can lead to all kinds of complications, including:
- Chronic pain
- Loss of mobility
- Hospitalization
- Tissue death that might require amputation
- Sepsis
3 Impressive Benefits of Regenerative Medicine for Chronic Wounds
For the millions who suffer from chronic wounds, there is new hope. There are new wound care treatments available that leverage breakthroughs in regenerative medicine. These treatments:
- Accelerate tissue repair: By delivering key components already found in the body, the wound dressing can improve wounds faster than standard treatments, typically within 10-12 weeks.
- Deliver powerful topical treatment: The dressing is applied directly to the wound as a protective covering — there are no invasive treatments, a low risk of complications, and minimal side effects.
- Slow the growth of bacteria: The dressing conforms to the application site with an environment of natural antimicrobial properties, slowing the growth of bacteria and supporting tissue repair.
Learn more about this treatment protocol in this video from Dr. Tim Gallagher:
Reduce Complications and Improve Outcomes
If you or a loved one have wounds that are not improving, don’t take any chances. Ask your wound care provider about this treatment option or give us a call at 978-537-0555 to learn more.