Burn injuries are caused by fires or flames, hot liquids or steam, contact with a hot object or agent like grease or tar, chemicals, or electricity. When evaluating a burn injury, we consider two factors: how deep the burn is and the burn size which is measured by the percent of total body surface area. The burn depth depends on how hot the agent was, how long the burned area was in contact with the agent and how thick the skin is in the area. There are three levels of a burn injury:

First-degree burns affect the top layer of skin, called the epidermis. These burns cause minor damage to the skin. Skin may be red and tender or swollen. An example w​ould be a mild sunburn that turns red and may peel. First-degree burns can generally be treated at home.

Second-degree burns (partial thickness burns) go through the second layer of skin, called the dermis. These burns are often painful and cause redness and blisters. The injury may ooze or bleed. They usually heal within 1 to 3 weeks. After healing, skin may be discolored. These burns generally do not leave raised scars. Treatment for second-degree burns varies. It may include ointments or special dressings. Surgery may be necessary for very deep second degree burns or those that are slow to heal.

Third-degree and more severe burns (full thickness burns) damage both layers of the skin and may also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. Injured skin may turn white, black, and/or gray. It may feel dry and leathery. Sometimes there is no pain because the nerve endings under the skin are destroyed. Third-degree burns have a high risk of infection. They are usually treated with skin grafts. This surgery, done with general anesthesia, removes the injured skin and replaces it with healthy skin from an uninjured area of the body. Full thickness burns that are not grafted may take months or even years to heal. 

A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes, and is commonly located on the bottom of the foot. Of those who develop a foot ulcer, six percent will be hospitalized due to infection or other ulcer-related complication.

The common underlying causes are poor glycemic control, calluses, foot deformities, improper foot care, ill-fitting footwear, underlying peripheral neuropathy, poor circulation, dry skin, etc. About 60% of diabetics will develop neuropathy, eventually leading to a foot ulcer.

Surgical wounds sometimes require advanced wound care if the incision does not heal as expected due to an infection, medical conditions such as diabetes, advanced age or a weakened immune system. These open wounds often require treatment from a wound care specialist, which may include wound irrigation, debridement, negative pressure wound therapy and skin or tissue grafting.

Pressure ulcers (also known as pressure sores or bedsores) are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue, primarily caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. 

They can happen to anyone, but usually affect people confined to bed or who sit in a chair or wheelchair for long periods of time.  Pressure ulcers that have broken through the top two layers of the skin, leaving an open wound, require specialized treatment to remove damaged tissue and prevent or treat infection.

Osteomyelitis is an infection in a bone. Infections can reach a bone by traveling through the bloodstream or spreading from nearby tissue. Infections can also begin in the bone itself, if an injury exposes the bone to germs. Smokers and people with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney failure, are more at risk of developing osteomyelitis. People who have diabetes may develop osteomyelitis in their feet if they have foot ulcers.

Although once considered incurable, osteomyelitis can now be successfully treated. Most people need surgery to remove areas of the bone that have died. After surgery, strong intravenous antibiotics are typically needed.

Osteoradionecrosis is caused by radiation therapy to the bone. It may develop years after radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. The risk of developing osteoradionecrosis increases when the dose of radiation received is greater than 60 grays. It is also higher if the bone is exposed during the radiation treatment.

A stasis ulcer is a breakdown of the skin caused by fluid build-up in the skin from poor vein function (venous insufficiency). Fluid leaks from the veins into skin tissue when the blood backs up rather than returning to the heart through the veins.

Venous stasis ulcers are more common in women of all ages and adults over the age of 65. Other things that raise the risk are: Vein problems, such as: Deep vein thrombosis, blood clot in a deep vein.