Chronic Wounds

Why Wounds Don't Heal | Treating the Condition, Not the Wound

Chronic Wounds plague more than 3 million people in America today. But even more troubling is the fact that these wounds may persist for months and even years without any healing or sign of improvement. You see, the problem is not the wound itself; and therefore treating the wound will not, in chronic cases, resolve the issue. Chronic wounds have underlying causes that must be addressed in order for the wound to heal properly. Because normal skin and wound care is not enough to heal these wounds they usually remain for extended periods of time. As a rule, only 50% of leg ulcers heal within 4 months of appearing, 20% remain open at 2 years and 8% remain open at 5 years. So we see that to effectively treat a chronic wound you must treat the cause and not simply treat the symptom.

There are basically 3 reasons a wound won’t heal: a blood circulation issue (Chronic Venous Insufficiency, CVI), Edema or an Infection (such as Cellulitis) .

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is caused by inadequate function of the valves in the veins. These one-way valves keep the blood in the veins moving towards the heart. Inadequate valve function decreases the ability of the veins to transport the blood upwards towards the heart. Put into simple terms, this means that the blood in your legs or the affected extremity is not returning to be cleaned and oxygenated.

With the compromise of blood flow over time, various symptoms arise. These include pain and neuropathy, varicose veins, skin breakdown, pitting, venous stasis ulcers, infection, and breakdown of the lymphatic channels leading to edema. Pneumatic compression pump therapy is one of the most effective methods for treating CVI and its subsequent symptoms because it replicates the action of healthy vascular function, moving used blood out of the affected area and promoting the return of fresh blood. See below for more information about compression pump therapy.

Edema

Edema is best described as pronounced swelling, often of the extremities. Edema and CVI can be cyclical in their causes. That is to say that edema can cause CVI, or CVI can cause edema. In either case, chronic wounds and stasis ulcers can result.

Edema inhibits the formation of collagen and creates a protein rich environment, which promotes infection. Furthermore, edema itself inhibits blood flow and circulation, which slows the healing process and exacerbates the complications of venous disorders. In cases exhibiting both chronic wounds and edema, the edema must be addressed in order to most effectively treat and heal the wounds.

There are many different types of treatments used today to treat persisting ulcers. Some of them only treat the wound. Some of them treat the disease.
• Ace Bandages
   o Positive: Simple, Cost Effective
   o Negative: Does not provide a constant pressure.
• Compression Stockings
   o Positive: Constant Pressure
   o Negative: Difficult to put on, Uncomfortable to wear all day
• Unna Boots
   o Positive: Provides wound care and pressure simultaneously
   o Negative: Exudates formation underneath and Personal Hygiene Problems
• Pneumatic Compression Pumps
   o One of the best adjunctive therapies to promote faster and sustained healing
of stasis ulcers (see below)

My Rep was very nice. He even called and made sure everything was good. I'm just sorry that I haven't had this for the past 10 years. My legs are healing nicely and feeling much better.
-- S. Barocas

Studies show that treating the root cause such as CVI (chronic venous insufficiency) and edema is the more effective way of healing the wound.

Pneumatic Compression Pump Therapy is an indispensable adjunctive treatment for chronic wounds because it treats the underlying cause of non-healing wounds. Whether the wound is caused by edema, venous deficiency or infection, gradient, segmental compression directly addresses the two primary causes and indirectly benefits the healing of infection which may cause the wound to persist. Compressing the tissues and veins, reducing the diameter of the swollen veins in a wavelike motion mimics the body’s natural way of circulating blood. So the blood circulates freely, tissues receive the oxygen they need, and edemas fluid moves out of the tissues.

Gradient, segmental, intermittent, compression therapy (the therapy provided by these pumps) is medically recognized as a non-invasive treatment for the complications associated with chronic venous insufficiency and other venous disorders including wound healing, and has been shown to speed up the healing process by 30 to 50 percent. This therapy can also improve the calf muscle pump function thus lowering the rate of venous thrombosis of the lower extremity.

For more information about ordering a compression pump or finding the pump that is best suited for your or your patient’s condition and lifestyle, contact Medical Solutions Supplier today. We will work to get the pump covered by the required insurance provider or with the patient directly to make sure that anyone in need receives the equipment they need to improve their quality of life.
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