title: A practical guide to reducing pain in patients with wounds.
abstract: Pain in patients with wounds is a largely underestimated problem in spite of it being highlighted as a significant factor that adversely influences patients' biopsychosocial wellbeing; it also adversely affects wound healing. This article considers the impact of wound pain on patients' quality of life, and how quality of life may be measured. The article explores the pathophysiology of pain, its manifestation and how an assessment of a patient's pain may be carried out using a variety of tools. Finally, it provides practical guidance for reducing pain associated with wounds, including consideration of the method and frequency of dressing changes, and the types of dressing used.
authors.affiliation: University of Chester, Chester.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benbow
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001458:Bandages; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*