Pain management for ulcers or wounds not expected to heal

Appropriate dressings can reduce the pain of a wound (including a pressure injury) and control exudate. Nonadhesive dressings are less likely to cause pain or local trauma to patients with fragile and sensitive wounds during dressing changes (see Painful wounds).

Adequate doses of analgesia, which may include opioids, are required and may be administered orally, subcutaneously or via transdermal patch.

Pain from dressing changes can be minimised as shown in Assessing and managing wound-related pain. Rarely, other measures (such as using ketamine, midazolam or chlorpromazine) may be necessary, with expert advice. See also Ulcer and wound pain.