Current and future developments in the treatment of chronic wounds

Abstract

Chronic wounds are common and their incidence has been on the increase. They place an enormous burden on health care services and have a major impact on several aspects of patients' wellbeing. It is vital for clinicians to recognize the complexity of the underlying processes leading to the development of a chronic wound. With this knowledge, the key factors that led to their development in each patient can be identified and appropriate steps taken to address modifiable factors. There is currently a wide range of treatments available for treatment of chronic wounds, with a range of exciting new treatments being developed. This paper aims to give an overview of the common etiology and pathophysiology of chronic wounds followed by a discussion of a range of current and future developments in their treatment.