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Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Wound Prognosis

The prognosis for wound healing is individualized and depends upon the type of wound, the underlying injury, and the baseline health of the patient.

• Most minor wounds including simple lacerations and abrasions heal on their own and do not require medical care.
• The more complicated the patient and the more complicated the wound, the prognosis for a perfect outcome decreases. The goal for all wounds is to have healing that allows the return of the injured part to normal function.
• Outcome also depends upon the risk factors present. Wounds that are contaminated and very dirty are more likely to become infected, and heal poorly than those that are not. Wounds to heal less well in individuals with poorly controlled diabetes or who have poor circulation.
• All lacerations will leave a scar but the health care practitioner will work to minimize the thickness and appearance of scars.