Understanding wound healing
Why Some Wounds Heal—and Others Don’t
A plain-English look at the healing process, common reasons wounds stall, and where negative pressure wound therapy may fit.
Wound healing is a coordinated biological process. The treating clinician considers the wound, the patient’s overall health, blood flow, drainage, infection risk and the care environment before selecting a treatment plan.
The four overlapping phases of wound healing
1. Hemostasis
The body works to control bleeding and form an initial clot.
2. Inflammation
Immune activity helps clear damaged tissue and prepares the wound for repair.
3. Proliferation
Granulation tissue develops, wound edges contract and new surface tissue begins to form.
4. Remodeling
New tissue gradually strengthens and reorganizes over time.
Why a wound may stall
A wound can slow or stop progressing when one or more barriers remain unresolved. Common factors include poor circulation, infection or heavy bioburden, excess moisture or dryness, repeated pressure or trauma, inadequate nutrition, certain medications, uncontrolled health conditions, and difficulty maintaining the prescribed dressing or seal.
Where wound vac therapy may help
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), often called wound vac therapy, uses controlled suction through a sealed dressing. When ordered and monitored by a qualified clinician, it can help manage drainage, protect the wound environment and support granulation tissue development.
When to contact the care team
Patients and caregivers should follow the treating clinician’s instructions and contact the care team about changes in pain, drainage, odor, redness, swelling, fever, bleeding, alarms that cannot be resolved, or any other concern. This page is general education and does not replace medical advice.
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