Wound dressing changes often accompanied by pain

Over half of all patients with chronic wounds regularly experience pain when having their dressings changed, suggests a survey.

Cardiff University researchers who questioned over 2,000 patients with chronic wounds found that 54% experienced pain 'often-to-all of the time' during dressing changes.

Around 60% of the patients surveyed said it took more than an hour for the pain to resolve, and a third said that pain relief medication was ineffective.

Study author Patricia Price, research and education director at the university's department of wound healing, said using dressings which caused the least amount of pain on removal – such as soft silicone dressings – could help solve the problem.

'Pain can have a negative effect on wound healing,' she said. 'The survey illustrates the importance of acknowledging patients' pain and adopting strategies to minimise it.'

International Wound Journal (2008) 5: 159-171