By Lauren Lazarevski, RN, BSN, CWOCN
As summer begins to wind down and we look ahead to Halloween, let’s discuss some “creepy crawlies” we may encounter in wound care that may cause apprehension in even the most seasoned health care staff.
By the WoundSource Editors
Wounds of the lower extremity, such as chronic venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers, often have a severe impact on patients' quality of life. Symptoms may range from mild to debilitating, depending on the location of the injury and its severity. These types of wounds also affect a tremendous number of people because lower extremity wounds are estimated to occur in up to 13% of the United States population. The estimated annual cost of treating lower extremity wounds is at least $20 billion in the United States.1
These wounds can impact patients in a variety of ways and with a range of severity. An overview of some of the common effects of lower extremity wounds includes the following:
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The reality is that lower extremity wounds are far more than the physical damage to the body. They often have widespread effects on nearly every aspect of a patient's life. For these reasons, health care providers may consider using advanced treatment modalities early on to optimize wound healing while minimizing the risk of recurrence or infection and preventing limb loss. Prevention and faster healing times are key in continuity of care.
Standard wound care treatments include the following: wound bed preparation; moist wound healing; appropriate advanced wound care treatment options; one or more debridement methods, implemented as indicated; orthotics; and mobility improvement strategies. Occupational therapists can also work with these patients to overcome some of the challenges they face because of limited mobility.5 Other treatment modalities that can work in conjunction with each other to enhance wound healing may include surgical interventions, laser therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, shockwave therapy, and electrical stimulation, among others.6 Utilizing various strategies together can improve the healing process for lower extremity wounds.
In addition to improving the healing environment of the wound itself, it is often crucial to employ proper pain management strategies. Pain perceptions can be linked to increased depression and anxiety. Health care providers must take the time to assess and appropriately treat the wound based on the patient’s report. Pain management programs can address specific types of pain.3 Types of pain include constant, intermittent, non-cyclical, cyclical, and/or chronic. When various treatment modalities are combined with proper pain management, overall quality of life for the patient is enhanced, and in many instances this approach can lead to optimized healing and better patient outcomes.
References
1. Star A. Differentiating lower extremity wounds: arterial, venous, neurotrophic. Semin Intervent Radiol. 2019;35(5):399-405.
2. Edwards H, Finlayson K, Skerman H, et. al. Identification of symptom clusters in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2014;47(5):867-875.
3. Newbern S. Identifying pain and effects on quality of life from chronic wounds secondary to lower-extremity vascular disease: an integrative review. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2018;31(3):102-108.
4. Platsidaki E, Kouris A, Christodoulou C. Psychosocial aspects in patients with chronic leg ulcers. Wounds. 2017;29(10):306-310.
5. Sen, CK. Human wounds and its burden: an updated compendium of estimates [editorial]. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2019;8(2):39-48.
6. Feily A, Moeineddin F, Mehraban S. Physical modalities in the management of wounds. 2016. https://www.intechopen.com/books/wound-healing-new-insights-into-ancient...
The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views of WoundSource, Kestrel Health Information, Inc., its affiliates, or subsidiary companies.
By Lauren Lazarevski, RN, BSN, CWOCN
As summer begins to wind down and we look ahead to Halloween, let’s discuss some “creepy crawlies” we may encounter in wound care that may cause apprehension in even the most seasoned health care staff.
By the WoundSource Editors
Although complex wounds typically present with clinical challenges in treatment, there are certain types of wounds that clinicians are used to facing: pressure wounds , arterial wounds, venous wounds, diabetic wounds, moisture-related wounds, end-of-...
By Becky Naughton, RN, MSN, FNP-C, WCC
If you've ever had a painful red bump after shaving, you've probably chalked this up to razor burn or an ingrown hair. After an irritating day or so, the bumps will likely fade and disappear on their own, and you don't give it any more...
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