Why Your Wound VAC Hurts: The Hidden Pain Behind Healing

Dr. G explains why negative pressure wound therapy (wound VAC) can cause significant pain—covering foam adherence, nerve ingrowth, inflammation, and the four types of VAC-related pain. He highlights why pain may signal complications in diabetic wounds and why neuropathy does not always mean no pain. This episode offers practical solutions: premedication, topical anesthetics, saline soaking, silicone contact layers, continuous versus intermittent modes, regional blocks, and the role of communication and monitoring to reduce suffering while preserving limb salvage.