Pressure Sores (Bedsores): Causes and Treatments

Have you ever sat in one position too long and then notice a tender, reddened area? Believe it or not, this is the beginning of a pressure sore!

Pressure sores, also known as bedsores or decubitus ulcers, can develop from any prolonged position, and are a common yet serious concern for those individuals who experience prolonged periods of confinement from casts, splints, wheelchairs or bed rest.

These open sores or skin lesions are caused by external pressure impairing the local circulation - or simply put, too much pressure for too long a time. It is common with people advancing in age whose mobility or sensations are severely limited.

Even a small amount of pressure can block venous return and removal of metabolic wastes. This leads to swelling and local tissue damage, which usually occurs after a few hours. But higher pressure can result in tissue damage as quickly as a few minutes.

This swelling and tissue damage then leads to ischemia or lack of blood supply and irreversible tissue damage from lack of oxygen to the tissue cells. Retention of metabolic wastes and necrosis or death of the tissues can also occur. If left untreated, these open sores can lead to septicemia, bacteria in the blood. Once septicemia is present, the risk of death is a very real threat!

Common CausesBoth internal and external factors can lead to the formation of pressure sores.  Internally, anyone experiencing a loss of pain and pressure sensations is a high risk. These sensations prompt a shift in position to relive pressure. Without them, disruptions of circulation can occur unknowingly.

Decreased fat and muscle padding over bony prominences can decrease the time it takes for a pressure sore to develop. Muscle wasting from disuse, anemia (decrease of circulating red blood cells) and infection can also contribute to these wounds.