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A wound is any type of damage or breakage on the surface of the skin. The wounds can be due to accidents like burns, paper cuts, skin tears or surgical, any underlying disease, or some other skin conditions that may develop in the wound, for example, eczema or psoriasis.
Wounds can be classified in several ways depending on the healing time and the necessity to consult with Wound Care Specialists depending on the severity of a particular wound. People are likely to suffer from different types of wounds throughout life while performing daily activities. Depending on the cause, site, and depth, a wound can lead from simple to severe one. Here, we have explained different types of wounds. Let's have a look:
Pressure Injuries - Also known as bedsores, pressure sores, or decubitus ulcers, these wounds cause when there is a pressure and/or shearing force on the skin. The people who are more prone to these chronic wounds are with limited mobility due to any medical illness or unable to walk, move all or part of their body to a different position.
Diabetic Ulcers - These ulcers generally occur on the feet and are a result of changes to nerves and circulation in the body caused by diabetes. It includes Neuropathic, Ischemic, and Neuro-ischemic.
Clean or Contaminated - Wounds can also be classified on the basis if they are clean or contaminated. Clean wounds are those that do not have any foreign material or debris inside whereas contaminated wounds or infected wounds are those that might have some dirt, bacteria, or other foreign markets. Pressure wounds can be used as an example of an open or closed wound depending on its current stage.
Internal or External - Wounds can also be internal or external. Internal wounds can be due to impaired circulation, nervous system functions, neuropathy or medical illness, or decreased supply of blood, oxygen, or other nutrients while the external wounds can be due to an outside force or trauma caused by penetrating objects or non-penetrating trauma.
Non-penetrating Wounds: - These wounds are the result of blunt trauma or friction with other surfaces. It includes:
Penetrating Wounds: - They are the result of trauma and break through the full thickness of the skin. It includes:
Each type of wound has a different approach and method of treatment.
Arterial insufficiency ulcers, Ischemic ulcers, Ischemic wounds are common wounds located on the lateral surface of the ankle or side of the foot caused by poor perfusion to the lower extremities.
First, second and third degree burns caused by any source- heat, chemicals, or electricity that damages the body’s tissues.
Any wound that does not heal in a predictable pattern, way or within the normal amount of time. Depending on the type of wound typical healing patterns follow certain healing timeframes. Wounds that heal outside of these timeframes are classified as chronic and/or non-haling wounds.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms most often in the leg in the deep veins. Symptoms include swelling, warmth, redness, and pain in the leg. This condition can lead to difficult to heal wounds.
Dermal Lesions are skin growths on top of your skin.
Diabetic Ulcers are open skin wounds associated with diabetes.
Any and all open sores or lesions on your feet.
Gangrene is when blood flow to a certain area of the body is cut off. It is a serious condition that causes the tissue to breakdown and die.
An infected wound is any wound that contains bacteria or other micro-organisms causing delays in healing.
As an alternative to amputation, we treat and help save what we can to preserve your limb with aggressive therapies.
Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) is a wound caused by prolonged exposure to various sources of moisture including but not limited to perspiration, wound exudate, urine, stool, mucus, and saliva.
Necrotic wounds are wounds that have dead tissue.
All wounds that are difficult to heal and do not progress the way a typical wound should are classified as non-healing.
Wounds resulting in the bone being exposed and leading to infection in the bone.
Pressure sores are areas of damaged skin caused by staying in one position for too long. We treat all stages of pressure ulcers.
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an inflammatory skin disorder that is characterized by small, red bumps or blisters that, over time, erode the skin to produce swollen open sores.
A skin condition that is caused from large external doses of radiation.
Also called radiodermatitis, this condition is caused by prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation.
Skin Graft Donor sites are wounds created by harvesting skin for skin grafting.
Cuts, tears, and breaks in the skin in various depths.
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), which include infections of skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle and have clinical presentations ranging from simple inflammation to necrotizing fasciitis.
Surgical wounds are wounds from prior surgeries that have opened up or not healed.
A Traumatic injury refers to physical injuries with a sudden onset. These injuries can range from lacerations, hematomas, to open wounds.
A tunneling wound is any wound that channels or tunnels from the wound through surrounding muscle or subcutaneous tissue.
Vasculitis is the inflammation of blood vessels that can lead to wounds.
A venous stasis ulcer is caused by the drainage of fluid as a result of poor venous circulation. These ulcers occur in the lower legs, between the knee and the ankle.
We treat any work related wounds.
There are many different ways in which wounds can be classified. In many cases, a wound may consist of a combination of the different classifications.
| 1. Wound thickness | |
|---|---|
| Superficial | Involves only the epidermis and the upper dermis |
| Partial thickness | Involves skin loss up to the lower dermis |
| Full thickness | Involves skin and subcutaneous tissue |
| Deep and complicated | Involves penetration into natural cavities, an organ or tissue |
| 2. Wound complexity | |
| Simple | Affecting only one organ or tissue |
| Combined | Affecting multiple organs and/or tissue |
| 3. Wound age | |
| Fresh | Up to 8 hours from the time of injury |
| Old | After 8 hours from the time of injury |
| 4. Wound origin | |
| Superficial | Breaking the skin’s surface from scratching, rubbing, picking, or a graze from falling |
| Incised | Usually as a result of surgical intervention |
| Crush | Made with a heavy blow of a cutting tool, such as a hatchet, sword |
| Lacerated | Fragments of tissue torn away with a sharp-edged object |
| Lacerated | Fragments of tissue torn away with a sharp-edged object |
| Stab | Made with a pointed tool or weapon |
| Contused | Injury to tissue under the skin's surface, most common type of wound seen in traffic accidents |
| Secondary | Wounds originating from primary diseases, such as diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers |
| Other | Bullet wound, bite wound, poisoned wound |
The process of wound healing involves three overlapping phases:
The rate at which a wound heals is dependent on several factors. These factors need to be considered before deciding on the method(s) used to treat a wound. Factors to consider include:
Wounds heal fastest if they are attended to as quickly as possible after an injury. The aim should be to dress or close the wound using appropriate methods to keep it free from infection and to create an environment that promotes healing.
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