Wound types
Wounds that need more than a dressing
Chronic, complex and acute wounds each have their own causes and challenges. These are the wounds we focus on.
Diabetic foot ulcers
Open sores on the feet of people with diabetes.
Pressure injuries
Damage from prolonged pressure on the skin.
Venous leg ulcers
Slow-healing wounds caused by poor vein function.
Burns
Partial- and full-thickness thermal injuries.
Surgical wounds
Incisions and open wounds after surgery.
Traumatic wounds
Complex injuries from accidents.
Diabetic foot ulcers
What is it?
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore, most often on the bottom of the foot or the toes. Between one in five and one in three people with diabetes will develop one during their lifetime.
Why is it hard to heal?
Reduced blood flow means less oxygen reaches the wound, and high blood sugar weakens the immune response. Without close care, these ulcers can become infected and lead to amputation.
Where advanced therapy fits
Negative pressure is widely used for diabetic foot wounds, especially after surgery. International guidelines also suggest topical oxygen for ulcers that don’t heal with standard care.
Pressure injuries
What is it?
Also called pressure ulcers or bedsores, these develop when steady pressure cuts off blood supply to skin and the tissue beneath it, usually over bony areas such as the heels, hips and tailbone.
Why is it hard to heal?
Pressure injuries are graded in stages from 1 to 4. Deeper wounds (stages 3 and 4) can reach muscle and bone, produce heavy drainage and take months to close.
Where advanced therapy fits
Negative pressure is commonly used for deep (stage 3 and 4) pressure injuries to manage drainage and support new tissue growth.
Venous leg ulcers
What is it?
The most common type of leg ulcer. When valves in the leg veins don’t work properly, blood pools in the lower legs. The added pressure and swelling damage the skin, usually just above the ankle.
Why is it hard to heal?
Ongoing swelling and fluid leakage keep these wounds wet and inflamed. Many heal only slowly and come back even after closing.
Where advanced therapy fits
Compression remains the foundation of care. Advanced therapies may be used for wounds with heavy drainage or that are slow to respond.
Burns
What is it?
Burns damage the skin and sometimes deeper tissue. Partial-thickness burns affect the upper skin layers; full-thickness burns destroy the skin entirely and usually need skin grafts.
Why is it hard to heal?
Burned tissue loses its protective barrier, leaks fluid and is vulnerable to infection. Skin grafts need a stable, clean wound bed to take.
Where advanced therapy fits
Negative pressure is used in burn care to manage fluid and to hold skin grafts securely in place while they attach.
Surgical wounds
What is it?
Most incisions heal without problems. But some reopen (dehiscence), become infected, or are intentionally left open to heal from the inside out.
Why is it hard to heal?
Complications after surgery can mean extra procedures, longer hospital stays and readmissions.
Where advanced therapy fits
Negative pressure is used both over closed incisions in higher-risk patients and on open surgical wounds that need to heal over time.
Traumatic wounds
What is it?
Injuries such as deep lacerations, crush injuries, skin loss (degloving) and open fractures. They are often large, irregular and contaminated.
Why is it hard to heal?
Traumatic wounds may not be ready to close right away and can need several procedures. Swelling, contamination and damaged blood supply all slow healing.
Where advanced therapy fits
Negative pressure is often used as a bridge, keeping the wound clean and covered until it can be closed or grafted.
This page describes wound types in general terms and is not medical advice. If you have a wound that isn’t healing, talk to your healthcare provider.
Working with these wounds?
We’re interested in hearing from wound care clinicians about unmet needs in practice.