For anyone who has lived with a chronic wound, or cared for a loved one who has, you know the frustration and pain of watching the body struggle to heal. These wounds, often caused by diabetes, poor circulation, infections, or other medical conditions, can linger for weeks, months, or even years despite the best available treatments.
At the Wound Center of Tucson, my team and I dedicate our work to helping people with wounds that refuse to heal. Every patient is different, and every wound is unique. That is why I make it a priority to study not just today’s proven treatments, but also tomorrow’s breakthroughs. One of the most promising frontiers in wound care is 3D bioprinting, a technology that may change how we treat stubborn wounds in the years to come.
How 3D Bioprinting Works
Imagine being able to “print” new tissue the way a 3D printer produces a physical object. That is the basic idea behind bioprinting. Scientists start by using biopolymers, which are natural or synthetic substances that act as a scaffolding. Think of this scaffold like the framing of a house: it gives structure and support, but it’s only the beginning.
Next, the scaffold is “seeded” with stem cells, the body’s remarkable building blocks that can become many different types of tissue. These cells attach themselves to the scaffold, begin to multiply, and gradually transform into living, functional tissue. To ensure the scaffold is strong enough to hold its shape, researchers often apply ultraviolet (UV) light, which hardens the structure without damaging the delicate cells.
Over time, the scaffold dissolves, leaving behind tissue that is fully integrated with the patient’s body. In theory, that tissue could be designed to fit a wound precisely, accelerating healing where the body has struggled on its own.
Why This Matters
If researchers perfect it, 3D bioprinting could be a game-changer for patients with diabetic ulcers, serious burns, or surgical wounds that refuse to close. Instead of relying only on bandages, topical treatments, and surgeries, doctors might one day be able to apply personalized tissue patches that jumpstart the body’s healing process.
The potential benefits go beyond faster healing. Because bioprinting can be tailored to an individual patient, the risk of rejection is reduced. If the patient’s own cells are used, the new tissue becomes a natural extension of the body rather than something foreign.
Looking Ahead
To be clear, this is not a treatment we are offering at the Wound Center of Tucson today. Our skin is an incredibly complex organ. To replicate skin in three dimensions entails the development of new blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands, etc. Though we may be years away from offering this to patients, I follow this research closely, along with other cutting-edge developments in wound care. My goal is simple: to bring every possible advantage to the patients who trust us with their care.
Chronic wounds are complex, but science is moving forward every day. By staying on the leading edge, I strive to offer my patients not only today’s best treatments, but the hope of tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a wound that won’t heal, please call (520) 702-3911 or email the Wound Center of Tucson today. Help is available … and healing is possible.
Dr. Jeff Monash, the founder of the Wound Center of Tucson, employs the most up-to-date treatments to heal severe and chronic wounds. He treats venous leg ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic wounds, pressure sores, traumatic wounds, surgical dehiscence, and much more.