Edema is the fluid that builds up abnormally in certain tissues within the body. Edema mainly occurs as a result of venous insufficiency in which the small blood vessels in the body leak fluid into nearby tissues. This excess fluid then makes the tissues to swell. Edema is a major problem to healing.
Wounds heal slower when edema surrounds the area because there is poor circulation as edema blocks the flow of nutrients that could help in healing the wound to and from the area of the wound.