Bed Sores, Pressure Sores and Decubitus Ulcers Are a Result of Prolonged Pressure

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 2 min read

What Are Bedsores?

Bedsores are also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers. They occur as a result of prolonged pressure on the skin and underlying tissue in sensitive areas, most often the bony areas of the body such as the back, buttocks, hips, ankles and heels. Bedsores can develop quickly and can be difficult to treat because those who are most often affected are those with mobility issues that keep them from changing positions easily. Those who are bedridden or are confined to a wheelchair are at a high risk for developing bedsores.

Causes and Risk Factors

There are three factors that play a role in bedsores developing:

Sustained Pressure:

When the skin is trapped between a bony surface and the surface of a bed or wheelchair, blood flow can be interrupted because the pressure that depriving the area of blood flow is greater than the body’s ability to pump blood to that area.

Friction:

When someone tries to move after being in a certain position for a long period of time, as is the case with those people in wheelchairs or those who are bedridden, friction between the skin and the surface they are on can contribute to bedsores. Friction is worse if the skin is moist, as in the case of those with urinary incontinence.

Shear:

Shear occurs when two surfaces move in opposite directions, such as when the head of a hospital bed is raised. As the head of the bed moves up, gravity pulls the body downward, resulting in a shear effect between a person’s back and the bed.

Those most at risk for developing bedsores are those who have limited mobility. Immobility can be caused by a number of problems:

Poor health
Obesity resulting in immobility
Sedation
Injury or illness requiring bed rest or wheelchair use
Recovery after surgery
Paralysis
Coma

Other factors that contribute to bedsores include:

Lack of sensory perception
Poor nutrition or hydration
Age
Decreased mental awareness
Weight loss
Incontinence
Excessive moisture or dryness of skin
Smoking
Decreased circulation
Muscle spasms

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.