Chronic wounds

If your skin is damaged and the different layers of the skin have been destroyed a wound appears. This is often due to an external trauma.

With proper treatment, wounds usually heal within a few weeks and may or may not leave a scar. If the wound takes longer than six weeks to heal, then you are suffering from a chronic wound.

A chronic wound may also have an underlying medical cause, such as blood vessel problems or diabetes. A multidisciplinary approach may be indicated in this case. Persistent pressure on the skin can also make it difficult for a wound to heal. However, this is less common.

Blood vessel problems and diabetes are increasing owing to the ageing of the population, so chronic wounds occur more frequently.

Treatment

Chronic wounds can have significant consequences. Proper treatment provided is good time is necessary. This requires a specific approach and intensive treatment.

The Dermatology service organises a specific consultation for chronic wounds every Thursday afternoon. Here you can meet a trainee dermatologist, a dermatology specialist and a nurse to care for your wound or wounds.

Bring the following with you:

• An overview of your home medication
• An overview of examinations already carried out and the results
• An overview of previous treatment

The consultation procedure is as follows:

• Your dressings are removed
• The wounds are measured and documented using photos
• The wounds are thorough cleansed
• If necessary, a smear is taken or additional examination of the blood vessels is requested
• Depending on the condition of the wound and the presence of any complications (such as an infection), the doctor starts appropriate treatment
• New dressings are applied
• Prescriptions are given if necessary
• Instructions for home care are also provided if necessary
• Another appointment may be scheduled, depending on how the situation develops

Multidisciplinary wound care team

If a chronic wound is caused by an underlying medical condition, a multidisciplinary approach may be indicated. For this, you can go to the Wound Care Clinic at UZ Brussel. The following specialists work here:

• A diabetologist
• A vascular surgeon
• A dermatologist
• A wound care nurse

A dermatological consultation takes place every Monday morning, together with wound care nurses and doctors from various disciplines.

If it appears that the wounds are caused by an underlying medical problem, then you will be referred:

• For blood vessel problems to the Centre for Cardiovascular Diseases
• For diabetes to the Diabetes Clinic