Wound Care Pain Management

Undertreatment of all types of acute and chronic pain is common, both in the United States and around the world. Moreover, a literature review of pressure ulcer pain and its management suggests that this area of pain medicine is truly in its infancy. This article includes a discussion of current literature, anatomy and physiology of pain related to pressure and ischemic ulcers, and assessment methods. It also describes treatment modalities, including conservative measures, medication management, and invasive procedures. Special emphasis is placed on the use of opioid analgesics in the management of severe acute and chronic wound pain.