Wound repair in older patients: preventing problems and managing the healing. Interview by Marc E. Weksler.

Overview

Because advanced age is associated with delayed wound healing and repair, prevention remains the cornerstone of wound care in the older population. Healing is complicated by the increased prevalence in older patients of conditions that predispose them to pressure ulcers, such as malnutrition, immobility, and systemic disease. If preventive measures fail, there are treatments available to minimize surface contact at pressure points and therapeutic agents to promote wound healing. These treatment approaches include topical dressings that create an optimal healing environment, specially designed support surfaces, and growth factor topicals that can increase the proliferation, migration, and protein biosynthesis of cells in the wound bed.