Dressings and Rehabilitation

The main aim of dressings in acute wounds is to absorb seepage and support the injured tissues. Bleeding must be stopped as an integral part of treatment, in order that bandaging tension can be reduced, so as to accommodate any degree of reactive swelling without restricting the circulation. Later dressings are designed to prevent the desiccation of exposed living cells until healing is re-established, minimise exposure to bacterial infection, absorb discharge, and assist with the softening and separation of slough. The best rehabilitation of all is seamless, with the injured person making a rapid and comfortable recovery from injury to full function. Undue or persistent pain is particularly counterproductive. Problematic rehabilitation can be related not only to situations where there has been serious structural damage but also to circulatory complications and scarring arising out of inappropriate treatment. The protection of joint function by explicit posturing and splintage during the acute phase can also be crucial to a full recovery. The patient’s understanding and involvement always plays an important part in the recovery of function.