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Types of Wounds
Acute Versus Chronic Wounds
Acute:
These are wounds that heal uneventfully and within an expected time frame. There can be complications and those complications require prompt medical attention
Chronic:
These are wounds that do not heal in the standard time frame and may last for weeks, months or even years. Typically there are not complications with these wounds other than slow healing.
Types of Wounds
Pressure Ulcers:
These can sometimes be referred to as bedsores or decubiti. This is an area were localized tissue necrosis (death) has occurred. The causes can be from compression (a bony area between a surface) which causes the blood supply to decrease to the area which will eventually lead to cell death that presents as a wound.
Arterial Leg Ulcers:
These are also known as ischemic ulcers. These wounds result due to tissue ischemia (insufficient supply of blood to an organ, usually due to a blocked artery) due to arterial insufficiency. These wounds are often seen on the tips of the toes. In order to properly diagnosis arterial ulcers the blood flow must be assessed prior to determining treatment.
Neuropathic / Diabetic Ulcers:
These wounds are often associated with diabetes. These types of wound results from damage to the automonmic, sensory or motor nerves and have decreased arterial perfusion. Typical located on the lower extremities, usually the foot.
Venous Wounds:
These wounds result when there is a failure of the venous value function to return blood from the lower extremities to the heart. These wounds are typically located from the ankle to the mid calf.
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