Limiting Excessive or Persistent Inflammation is Central to Healing Wounds
Acute inflammation presents as local redness, warmth, swelling, pain and loss of function of the injured tissues. These symptoms are resolved after the cellular debris resulting from the injury, and any foreign debris, such as dirt or invading microorganisms, have been cleared from the area. In the case of acute inflammation, the body’s systems limit and resolve inflammation, and the body returns to normal, self-regulating, healthy stable condition (homeostasis).
Chronic inflammation is excessive of unresolved inflammation which triggers a continuing cycle of cellular death. In these cases, the local redness, warmth, swelling, pain and loss of function does not resolve in a timely manner.
The goal is to help the body to move out of the chronic inflammation cycle into the normal healing path.
The Body’s Healing Systems
Resolution of all tissue injuries is orchestrated by the interplay between the peripheral nervous system and the immune system. During the inflammation phase of healing the interplay between the two systems contains the injury and prepares the injury for repairing. As the inflammation phase of healing progresses, the wound moves into the repair phase (referred to as proliferative phase) where the injury is repaired. The proliferative phase is when wound defects are filled in and the skin grows over the injured wound. After the injury has been repaired, the injury moves into the remodeling phase. During the remodeling phase, the injured tissues are strengthened, and scar tissues are minimized.
Uncontrolled Inflammation Results in Chronic Wounds
If the inflammation response is excessive, or does not naturally progress toward repair, undamaged tissues at the border of the original injury, become damaged by the uncontrolled inflammation response. This damage is referred to as “bystander” or “secondary” damage. The bystander damage results in the original injury becoming larger. A familiar example of this process is observed after burning a finger while cooking. The tissues beyond the initial burn site continue to swell, ache and become rigid until the inflammation is brought under control.
Wound patients most at risk for excessive or uncontrolled inflammation response include those with low blood pressure; the elderly; diabetes; compromised circulatory systems; compromised immune system; injuries of the peripheral nervous system; injuries of the central nervous system.
The Role of Typical Wound Dressings in Management of Inflammation
Typically, wound dressings are used to manage the symptoms of chronic wounds, such as excess wound fluid (exudate) production, removal of non-viable tissues and microorganisms.
Early Management of Inflammation Can Help Prevent the Development of Chronic Wounds
PolyMem dressings, when applied to a very recent injury have been shown to limit the inflammation to the initial injury site and reduce the amount of secondary damage that typically occurs, without interfering with the normal healing pathways. PolyMem dressings interact with the portions of the nervous system which guides the healthy healing pathways. These interactions result in reduced redness, warmth, swelling, pain and loss of function of the injured tissues while supporting robust healing.
Additionally, PolyMem dressings maintain a clean wound bed and absorbs exudate which supports wound healing.
Inflammation Management Can Help Resolve Chronic Wounds
PolyMem dressings have been shown to help resolve complex, chronic wounds by helping to break the cycle of inflammation which had been enlarging the injuries. PolyMem continuously cleanses and debrides the wound without disrupting the healing tissues
Conclusion
PolyMem dressings manage and contain the inflammation response in the tissues surrounding the initial injury while reducing pain, bruising, swelling and secondary injury, while supporting robust healing of the injured tissues.
Use PolyMem per the Instructions for Use.
The MEDICAL MONKS STAFF brings to the table decades of combined knowledge and experience in the medical products industry.
Edited for content by JORDAN GAYSO.
