A hard-to-heal wound is defined as one that fails to heal with standard therapy in an orderly and timely manner. There are several reasons why wounds fail to heal and these can be classified as intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external).

Intrinsic factors include:

• Age
• Psychological
• Body build
• Lifestyle
• Nutritional status
• Medication
  
• Comorbidities

Extrinsic factors include:

• Mechanical stress
• Debris
  
• Temperature
  
• Desiccation and maceration
  
• Infection
  
• Chemical stress
  
• Wound dressing
  
• Wound care skill and technique

With multiple factors influencing the wound healing pathway, it is important for clinicians to understand and evaluate influencing factors when dealing with a ‘stalled’ wound.

To read our newly updated Simplified Guide called Why Wounds Fail to Heal click here.

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