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Diabetic foot ulcers are among the most common complications of patients who have diabetes mellitus which is not well controlled. It is usually the result of poor glycemic control, underlying neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, or poor foot care. It is also one of the common causes of osteomyelitis in the foot and amputation of lower extremities.

Decubitus ulcers, also termed bedsores or pressure ulcers, are skin and soft tissue injuries that form as a result of constant or prolonged pressure exerted on the skin. These ulcers occur at bony areas of the body such as the ischium, greater trochanter, sacrum, heel, malleolus (lateral than medial), and occiput. These lesions mostly occur in people with conditions that decrease their mobility making postural change difficult.

Venous ulcers typically occur because of damage to the valves inside the leg veins. These valves control the blood pressure inside the veins. They allow it to drop when you walk. If the blood pressure inside your leg veins doesn't fall as you're walking, the condition is called sustained venous hypertension. That increase in blood pressure causes ulcers to form on your ankles.

Arterial ulcers, also referred to as ischemic ulcers, are caused by poor perfusion (delivery of nutrient-rich blood) to the lower extremities. The overlying skin and tissues are then deprived of oxygen, killing these tissues and causing the area to form an open wound. In addition, the lack of blood supply can result in minor scrapes or cuts failing to heal and eventually developing into ulcers.

A partial thickness burn (also known as a second degree burn) is a burn that affects the top two layers of skin, called the epidermis and hypodermis. Partial thickness burns can continue to change over time and can evolve to a full thickness burn (or third degree burn), even after initial treatment. Partial thickness burns are serious and have a high risk of developing infection or other complications.

Proper care before, during, and after surgery is essential to preventing infection and to promoting wound healing. Depending on the type of surgery, a health care professional will provide explicit orders on how to care for the surgical wound. Keeping the wound clean, properly maintaining the dressing and providing adequate nutrition and hydration will promote wound healing and help prevent infection.