Table 1.
MAJOR TYPES OF CHRONIC WOUNDS
| Wound Type | Pathology | No. of Affected Patients | Cost of Treatment | Total Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venous ulcers | Venous insufficiency, thrombosis, varicosis | 400,000–600,000 | $5000–$10,000 | $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion94 |
| Arterial ulcers | Macroangiopathy, atherosclerosis, arterial insufficiency |
100,00033 | $9000–$16,000 | |
| Diabetic ulcers | Neuropathy, microangiopathy, hyperglycemia |
2 million (http://www.feetnet.com/statistics.php) | $6000/patient | $150 million95 |
| Pressure ulcers | Immobility, excessive pressure | 1.3 million to 3 million | Up to $70,00096 | $3.5 billion to $7.0 billion annually96 |