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Patients with chronic wounds often suffer from persistent wound pain. Studies show that more than 80 percent of patients with chronic wounds are in constant pain – and half of them classify the pain as moderate to severe.[1-4] Many patients say that the pain is the worst aspect of having a wound.

Persistent or chronic wound pain not only affects your patients’ quality of life, it can also be a major barrier to wound healing. Often, the consequences of persistent wound pain are underestimated and undertreated.

What is wound pain?
Following tissue injury, persistent inflammation triggers the release of mediators that activate local pain receptors. This results in greater sensitivity of the surrounding skin and deeper structures in the wound base. The pain itself can be caused by tissue damage (nociceptive)¹ or nerve damage (neuropathic)².

Reclaim life with less wound pain
Biatain Ibu [Link to Biatain] is the first dressing ever to combine moist wound healing with local release of ibuprofen. Biatain Ibu is indicated for exuding wounds to provide moist wound healing. In addition, Biatain Ibu may reduce wound pain caused by tissue damage (nociceptive pain)¹. Biatain Ibu is backed by evidence from the largest randomised, comparative clinical trials ever performed on a wound dressing.

Learn more about clinical evidence on Biatain Ibu.

Holistic wound pain assessment and management
A holistic approach to wound assessment and management involves treating the possible causes of pain, such as infection and uncontrolled oedema. A first step in a holistic wound management approach is local pain management by application of Biatain Ibu.

At Coloplast, we believe local treatment is important for persistent wound pain and for painful procedures, such as dressing changes and debridement. You should consider systemic treatment if the pain does not improve with local pain management. 


Download the new WUWHS Consensus Document on the best methods for assessing and treating wound pain.

References
1. Gottrup et al. Reducing wound pain in venous leg ulcers with Biatain Ibu: A randomised, controlled double-blind clinical investigation on the performance and safety. Wound Repair and Regeneration 2008; 16:616-626
2. Woo et al. Assessment and management of persistent (chronic) and total wound pain. International Wound Journal 2008; 5(2): 205-215
3. Pieper et al. Pain associated with venous ulcers in injecting drug users. Ostomy Wound Management 1998; 44:54–58 & 60–67
4. Nemeth et al. Understanding venous leg ulcer pain: results of a longitudinal study. Ostomy Wound Management 2004; 50:34–6


1. Nociceptive pain: stimulus dependent and usually caused by tissue damage. The pain is described as gnawing, aching, throbbing and tender.

2. Neuropathic pain: occurs spontaneously as a result of nerve tissue injury. The pain is most likely to be described as burning, stinging, shooting or stabbing.