39-year-old woman stepped on by horse, leaving deep left shin hematoma. Surgically drained. Resultant deep wound treated with wet-to-dry x1 day, then alginate without improvement. After one week, referred to wound clinic. Unable to work because of wound: 0.6cm long, 1.7cm wide and 2.9cm deep draining large amounts sanguineous fluid. Hydrocodone for pain: constant 10 on 0-10 scale). Wound bed 100% fibrin/slough.

Polymeric membrane dressings provide significant wound pain relief, presumably by inhibiting nociceptor activity at site. Ingredients draw and concentrate healing substances from body into wound bed to promote rapid healing while facilitating autolytic debridement directly by loosening bonds between slough and wound. Available as wound filler, without semipermeable backing, so all surfaces can absorb wound fluid. Therefore, polymeric membrane wound filler was initiated.

Elevated leg. Given protein supplement. Oral antibiotic to prevent infection. Polymeric membrane wound filler cut about 2/3 diameter of wound, inserted into deep open space, covered with extra-thick polymeric membrane wound dressing, changed every 4–6 days.

Study on-going. At ten days, wound pain no longer constant. At three dressing changes (15 days) wound 0.2cm longx1.8cm widex1.3cm deep, 80% granulation tissue, only 20% fibrin/slough. Exudate serosanguineous, quantity diminished. At less than three weeks, pain diminished so much patient stopped taking Hydrocodone and returned to work.

After less than 4 weeks' treatment, wound 0.2cm longx1.2cm widex0.8cm deep. Use of polymeric membrane wound filler has so far resulted in dramatic reduction of patient's pain, a much cleaner wound bed and significant brisk healing. Further, patient has realized significant cost-savings associated with having to come only every 4 – 6 days for dressing changes and being able to work again.

PolyMem^® Wic^TM Wound Filler, PolyMem Max^TM Wound Dressings, Ferris Mfg.