Anderson K, Hamm RL, et al.
The journal of the American College of Clinical Wound Specialists. Date of publication 2014 Mar 24;volume 4(4):84-91.
1. J Am Coll Clin Wound Spec. 2014 Mar 24;4(4):84-91. doi:
10.1016/j.jccw.2014.03.001. eCollection 2012 Dec.
Factors That Impair Wound Healing.
Anderson K(1), Hamm RL(2).
Author information:
(1)Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Therapyworks, Inc., Santa Monica, CA, USA.
(2)Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern
California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
The body's response to tissue injury in a healthy individual is an intricate,
sequential physiologic process that results in timely healing with full
re-epithelialization, resolution of drainage, and return of function to the
affected tissue. Chronic wounds, however, do not follow this sequence of events
and can challenge the most experienced clinician if the underlying factors that
are impairing wound healing are not identified. The purpose of this article is to
present recent information about factors that impair wound healing with the
underlying pathophysiological mechanism that interferes with the response to
tissue injury. These factors include co-morbidities (diabetes, obesity, protein
energy malnutrition), medications (steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs or NSAIDs, anti-rejection medications), oncology interventions (radiation,
chemotherapy), and life style habits (smoking, alcohol abuse). Successful
treatment of any chronic wound depends upon identification and management of the
factors for each individual.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jccw.2014.03.001
PMCID: PMC4495737
PMID: 26199879
