A Wound Healing Disorder is defined as a delayed, incomplete, or a nontypical healing process of injuries. These disorders might be caused by multiple reasons. Diseases like diabetes, anemia, a circulatory disorder, the abuse of nicotine, or a venous weakness might cause a reduced blood supply, which leads to generally poorer wound healing. Additionally, diabetes causes a restriction of the sensitive nerves, which might lead to abiding injuries. These injuries are affected by a poor healing process, caused by hyperglycemia of the tissue.
Also the age of the concerned patients is relevant. In old people the circulation as well as the immune system are reduced compared to young people.
Furthermore, a wound healing disorder might be caused by a deficiency of proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, or trace elements. The bigger the wound, the higher the effort the body has to take for the wound healing process and the higher the nutritional requirements. In addition, it is possible that the intake of certain pharmaceuticals leads to a wound healing disorder.
Aside from these general factors there are various local factors that contribute to a wound healing disorder, including infection of the wound, physical stress, the size of the wound, foreign matter inside of the wound, tight margins of the wound, big bruises, and an early extraction of the suture thread.
Disordered wound healing can also lead to the development of so-called ulcers. These ulcers might have a negative influence on the patient’s quality of life and his social environment because of the smell of the ulcer. Moreover, the wound could get infected, which can lead to a blood poisoning. These inflammations are likely to become life-threatening. Sometimes it becomes necessary to amputate parts of the body to prevent the encroaching of the inflammation on the whole body.
Also unaesthetic scars may be the result of a wound healing disorder. A so-called keloid may be caused by an excessive increase of scar tissue. These unaesthetic scars may exert psychological pressure on the concerned patients. Various psychological diseases may be the consequence.
Treatment of a Wound Healing Disorder
The cleaning of the wound has is of utmost priority in order to prevent an inflammation or an infection of the damaged tissue. It might be necessary to excise necrotic tissues. After these initial treatment steps it is important to treat the underlying diseases, e.g., diabetes or circulatory disorders.
Apart from that, the wound gets sutured so its margins get reconnected and covered with compresses to protect the wound from environmental influences. Besides these acute measures it is important to determine and treat the underlying disease adequately.
Unaesthetic scars are difficult to treat without the use of stem cells. Surgical interventions of any kind are most likely to cause further, bigger scars.
Stem Cell Therapy of a Wound Healing Disorder
It is possible to support the treatment of the wound healing disorder with stem cells extracted from the patient’s own fat tissue. Today we know that the modulation of the immune system and the stimulation of the regeneration of tissue and blood vessels are major functional mechanisms of stem cells.
Although the mode of action has not yet been fully investigated, studies give reason to hope that these stem cells, applied directly onto the wound or injected into their surroundings, lead to a new formation of blood vessels and better tissue regeneration.
Treatment of Scars with Stem Cells
It is possible to reopen unaesthetic scars (scar revision) and suture them in a more aesthetic way. The injection of stem cells into the scar stimulates the healing process. If the skin heals better the aesthetic look of the scar can be improved.