Every wound has a story

Individuals will most often obtain better wound healing outcomes when they are informed, engaged, decision-makers and participants in their care. This concept refers to the individual's capacity to have a sense of control and accountability for their well-being. Not all individuals can commit to this however and some health-care settings do not always support this approach to collaborative care.

Tracking wound healing progress requires simple objective data upon which clinical decisions can be made. Photographs of wounds should be supplemented with measurements of wound dimensions and also images of the used wound dressings - which allows for exudate monitoring (recording exudate type, consistency and volume). It is recommended that measurements and photographs be taken weekly or upon any significant change in wound presentation.

Wound dressings are often surrounded with mysticism and unrealistic expectations. Dressings don't heal wounds but can be used to generate an environment within which repair is likely to proceed. Selecting a dressing should be guided by goals and measurable outcomes, done so upon the basis of regular wound and peri-wound assessment.

The organ we call the "skin" is otherwise known as the Integumentary System. This name better describes the physical structure and function of the skin. The Integumentary System interacts with the body's other systems. When all these other systems function optimally, then the Integumentary System can do one of its important functions - repairing a wound. If other systems are dysfunctional, then wound repair can become prolonged or stalled.

If you have a chronic or hard-to-heal wound, how do you know if treatment is helping it get better? Simple, reproducible measurements provide objective data which informs progress.

Shin injuries can result in skin breaks (wounds), swelling, blood blisters and haematomas. Dressings have a role to play in appropriately covering a wound. However, it is the use of compression based on a good assessment of the limb which is most responsible for expediting recovery.