Quick Facts - Complex Wounds

Complex wounds may be chronic or acute, and they include pressure injuries, venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, open trauma, and wound fistulas. The annual cost of managing these challenging wounds is estimated to be approximately $25 billion in the United States. The number of complex wounds has been increasing and will continue to rise as a result of an aging population and trauma in urban centers. Skilled complex wound management is necessary because these wounds have a diverse etiology and presentation. This fact sheet contains the following: definition and types of complex wounds, prevalence and costs of complex wounds, risk factors for complex wound development, advanced wound care therapeutic modalities, wound bed preparation, and ongoing reassessments in care planning and implementation.