Which stage of healing may a chronic ulcer from peripheral vascular insufficiency remain in for prolonged periods?

A chronic ulcer resulting from peripheral vascular insufficiency often remains in the inflammation stage of healing for extended periods. This prolonged inflammation is due to inadequate blood supply, which is essential for the body’s healing processes. The inflammatory phase is the first stage of healing, where the body initiates a response to injury, characterized by redness, swelling, and pain as the body attempts to clear out damaged tissues and prevent infection.

In chronic ulcers, especially those related to vascular issues, factors like poor circulation, ongoing ischemia, and the presence of necrotic tissue can prevent the wound from progressing to the next stages of healing—proliferation, maturation, or re-epithelialization. The inflammatory response may be exacerbated, preventing the normal transition to tissue repair and regeneration that typically occurs as the wound heals.

While the proliferation phase involves the formation of new tissue and blood vessels and the maturation phase is associated with remodeling of tissue, these stages are less likely to be achieved when inflammation is persisting. Re-epithelialization, which is the process where skin cells migrate to cover the wound, relies heavily on the resolution of inflammation and the availability of adequate perfusion, both of which may be compromised in cases of chronic ulcers from vascular insuff