Knighton et al evaluated chronic nonhealing wounds using the Total Wound Score, which consists of 3 parts. The authors are from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Patient selection: chronic nonhealing wound from mixed etiologies
Parameters for anatomic considerations:
(1) exposed bone
(2) exposed tendon
(3) dorsalis pedis pulse
(4) posterior tibial pulse
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
exposed bone |
No |
0 |
|
|
Yes |
10 |
|
exposed tendon |
No |
0 |
|
|
yes |
7 |
|
dorsalis pedis pulse |
3 or 4+ |
0 |
|
|
2+ |
2 |
|
|
0 or 1+ |
5 |
|
posterior tibial pulse |
3+ or 4+ |
0 |
|
|
2+ |
2 |
|
|
0 or 1+ |
5 |
where:
• The pulses would apply to a wound of the distal lower extremity. A wound elsewhere might need different arteries. Alternatively the current pulses could indicate the state of peripheral artery disease.
total anatomic subscore =
= SUM(points for all 4 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum subscore: 0
• maximum subscore: 27
• The higher the score the more severe the wound.
Specialty: Dermatology, Surgery, general
