Pressure sores, also known as pressure ulcers or bedsores, are caused by prolonged immobility and can lead to serious medical problems. They affect those who are bedridden or have limited mobility, and prevention is important. There are four stages of pressure sores, and frequent position changes and support pads can help prevent them. Healthcare providers should closely monitor patients for early signs.
Pressure sores are injuries that are typically caused by periods of prolonged immobility. A mild pressure sore can usually be easily treated, but more serious sores can cause serious problems and require surgery. Pressure sores affect people who are bedridden, paralyzed, or dealing with other limited mobility issues, and pressure sore prevention is an important part of training for healthcare professionals who care for at-risk individuals.
These lesions are also known as pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers or skin ulcers. Left untreated, pressure sores can cause sepsis, cellulitis, gangrene, and deep-seated bone and joint infections. Bedsores have also been linked to carcinoma and necrotizing fasciitis, an infection that literally eats away at otherwise healthy tissue. People in wheelchairs or bedridden are at risk of skin ulcers, as are long-term hospital patients, people in nursing homes and people with conditions such as diabetes, which interferes with circulation.
There are three main causes for bed sores. The first is simply sustained pressure, which can cause pressure sores to appear in places like the hips and shoulder blades. Pressure sores also form from friction and cutting as the patient’s body rubs against a bed or wheelchair. Active people rarely get such sores because they make small adjustments to their position throughout the day and while they sleep. Someone who has a limited range of motion can get a pressure sore within hours if they are positioned in a way that cuts off circulation.
There are four different stages of bed sores. A stage one pressure sore manifests as an area of tenderness and mild inflammation and generally goes away shortly after the pressure on the area has been relieved. A second-stage pressure sore is characterized by some loss of skin, forming an open blister or discolored sore; with quick treatment, this type of sore usually heals quickly. Stage three pressure sores are deeper, while stage four pressure sores can be extremely deep fissures surrounded by dead tissue. A stage IV pressure sore is also characterized by damage to the underlying muscles and bones and represents a serious medical problem.
There are several ways to avoid pressure sores. The first is frequent changes in position such as rotation accompanied by the use of support pads which can reduce pressure on problem areas such as the hips. Healthcare providers should also closely inspect their patients for early signs of pressure sores, and patients generally also benefit from nutritional support and physical therapy.
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