What it is
A surgical wound is a cut made during an operation, usually closed with stitches, staples, glue, or tape strips. Many incisions close and mend in a fairly predictable way, but some edges separate, drain, or stay open longer than expected. This is sometimes called wound dehiscence when the edges come apart, or a delayed-healing surgical wound.
Many things can play a role when an incision is slow to heal. These can include infection, pressure or tension on the area, poor blood flow, swelling, a collection of fluid beneath the skin, and other health conditions. Nutrition, smoking, and certain medications may also be part of the picture. Only a licensed clinician can work out what is going on in a particular case.
Because every surgery and every person is different, there is no single timeline that fits everyone. What matters most is having the wound looked at by a professional who knows the surgical history, rather than waiting and wondering whether it is normal.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Traditionally, a slow-healing incision is first checked by the surgeon or surgical team who performed the operation. They may look at the wound, review what happened since surgery, and decide whether it needs further attention. Follow-up visits are a common way to track changes over time.
Common approaches in wound care have included cleaning the wound, removing non-healthy tissue (debridement), using dressings chosen to manage moisture and drainage, and relieving pressure on the area. If infection is suspected, clinicians may take a sample for testing and decide whether other medical treatment is appropriate.
When healing stalls, a wound care specialist may be brought in to consider additional options. Negative pressure wound therapy, which uses gentle suction through a special dressing, is a well-established option for some wounds. Other advanced therapies, such as skin substitutes or amniotic and placental grafts, vary in regulatory status. Most are regulated as minimally manipulated tissue rather than as FDA-approved drugs, and coverage differs by product and payer. For more on amniotic products specifically, amnioticdoctors.com is one further reading source, and it is not affiliated with WoundKare.
How the right wound care specialist may help
The right wound care specialist may help by taking a fresh, careful look at why an incision is not closing. A visit generally includes a conversation about your surgery and health history, a look at the wound, and possibly measuring or photographing it so changes can be followed. The specialist may also ask about pain, drainage, and daily activities.
Specialists in surgical wound care and advanced wound therapies often work alongside your surgeon, primary care provider, and other clinicians. They may help identify factors that are slowing healing and discuss which options, if any, could be appropriate. Whether any particular therapy is right for you is a decision for a licensed clinician after an evaluation, and results are never guaranteed.
It can help to bring a list of questions. Consider asking: What do you think is causing my wound to heal slowly? How would you describe its stage or severity? What treatment options exist, and what are the pros and cons? How long might healing take? Would my insurance cover the options discussed? What signs should prompt me to call you right away?
The whole-person view
Body, mind, and stress affect each other, and a wound that will not close can be tiring in every sense. Worry, disrupted sleep, pain, and changes in routine can pile up, and stress may also affect how people feel day to day. Looking at the whole person, including rest, nutrition, and emotional well-being, is part of how many care teams think about recovery.
If the body feels tense or on edge after surgery, body-based support such as that offered through Somatic Experiences may be one avenue some people explore. If worry or low mood is weighing on you, talk therapy through Therapists.plus is another option. These are complementary to, not replacements for, medical wound care from a licensed provider.
Somatic Experiences: trauma and emotional healing →Somatic Experiences: embodiment and movement →Therapists.plus: mind body connection →
Keep in mind
- Seek medical care promptly for signs of infection: spreading redness, red streaking, increasing warmth or pain, pus, foul odor, fever, or chills, or if the wound is rapidly getting worse.
- Call 911 or go to the ER for heavy bleeding, exposed bone or tendon, signs of sepsis (such as confusion, fast heartbeat, or high fever with feeling very ill), or a deep or severely contaminated wound.
- Only a licensed clinician can diagnose the cause of a non-healing wound and decide which treatments are appropriate; this page does not replace an evaluation. If you are in emotional crisis, call or text 988.
- Ask any provider about your wound's cause, staging, treatment options, expected healing time, and insurance coverage before making decisions.
Wound care specialists who often help
Get matched privatelyFrequently asked questions
Why is my surgical incision not healing?
There can be several reasons, including infection, tension on the incision, reduced blood flow, fluid buildup, or other health factors. A licensed clinician needs to examine the wound to find the cause. If you notice signs of infection, seek care promptly.
What kind of doctor can see a wound care specialist for a reopened incision?
Your surgeon is often the first contact, and they may refer you to a wound care specialist. Providers in surgical wound care and advanced wound therapies commonly evaluate incisions that have reopened or are slow to heal. You can also ask your primary care provider for a referral.
Is wound care for a surgical wound different from regular wound care?
Wound care for a surgical wound takes into account the operation that was done, any stitches, staples, or implants, and your surgeon's instructions. A specialist may coordinate with your surgical team. The approach is always individualized by a licensed provider.
Can negative pressure wound therapy help a non-healing incision?
Negative pressure wound therapy is a well-established option for some wounds, and a specialist may consider it in certain situations. Whether it is appropriate depends on your wound and overall health, and only a licensed clinician can decide. Ask your provider about benefits, risks, and coverage.
Are skin substitutes or amniotic grafts approved by the FDA for surgical wounds?
It varies by product. Many skin substitutes and amniotic or placental grafts are regulated as minimally manipulated tissue rather than as FDA-approved drugs, and coverage differs by product and payer. Ask a provider about the regulatory status of any product they suggest, and never assume results are guaranteed.
When should I get medical care for a surgical wound that has reopened?
Get medical care promptly if you see spreading redness, red streaking, increasing warmth or pain, pus, foul odor, fever or chills, or if the wound is quickly getting worse. Call 911 or go to the ER for heavy bleeding, exposed bone or tendon, or signs of sepsis. Even without these signs, a reopened incision is worth having a professional look at.
Educational resource. WoundKare shares general information and connects people with independent wound care specialists. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.