Pressure Sores, Pressure Ulcers or Decubitus Ulcers

Pressure sores must be taken seriously, if left unchecked, a pressure sore can lead to amputation or in the worst case death. Even when well cared for, a pressure sore can still become infected such as was the case with Christopher Reeve in October 2004. Christopher had the best care and was looked after by dedicated staff at Northern Westchester Hospital, but still his sore became severely infected, resulting in a serious systemic infection. This in turn led to a heart attack and coma from which he did not recover. Check yourself for red marks and sores daily, it should be a routine which is as second nature as brushing your teeth.

A pressure sore, also known as a bed sore, is an injury to the skin and the tissue under it. A pressure sore develops when the blood supplying the tissue with oxygen and nutrients is cut off, and the tissue no longer receiving oxygen and nutrients dies. The oxygen and nutrients are essential to maintain healthy tissue. Sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time can start the process of tissue breakdown.

People who smoke are also at an increased risk of developing a pressure sore, as are those who are overweight or diabetic.

If you have been paralyzed, you may not feel a pressure sore developing, therefore it is essential to change your position on regular intervals to allow the circulation of blood throughout pressured areas. Normally in an able bodied person, if you are uncomfortable in your seating position, messages from nerves in the skin will be sent via your spinal cord to the brain to indicate discomfort. However in a person with a spinal cord injury, these messages are blocked at the level of injury, and the disabled person may not even be aware at the level of potential damage the skin is in.

Pressure sores are also be referred to as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers. The damage from a pressure sore will range from slight discoloration of the skin (stage 1) to open sores that go all the way to the bone (severe). The affected area may feel warmer than the surrounding tissue. In light-skinned people, the discoloration may appear as dark purple or red. In darker-skinned people, the discoloration will appear darker than the surrounding tissue.

Stages of Pressure Sores

STAGE ONE How to recognize: Skin is not broken but is red or discolored. The redness or change in color does not fade within 30 minutes after pressure is removed.

STAGE TWO How to recognize: The epidermis or topmost layer of the skin is broken, creating a shallow open sore. Drainage may or may not be present.

STAGE THREE How to recognize: The break in the skin extends through the dermis (second skin layer) into the subcutaneous and fat tissue. The wound is deeper than in Stage Two.

STAGE FOUR How to recognize: The breakdown extends into the muscle and can extend as far down as the bone. Usually lots of dead tissue and drainage are present.

If the skin is at stage 1, the red area can be healed by keeping the pressure off the affected area. If the sore does not heal in a few days or recurs, consult your health care provider.

If the skin is thought to be at stages 2 - 3, you should consult your health care provider for further treatment.

Support : Types of Paralysis : Vertebral Column : Spinal Cord : Myotomes & Dermatomes : Autonomic Dysreflexia : Spasticity & Spasms : Temperature Regulation : Respiratory System : Pressure Sores : Spinal Cord Injury Research