Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or pressure sores, are localized injuries to the skin and/or underlying tissue that usually occur over a bony prominence as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear and/or friction. An unintended consequence of immobility, pressure sores form when skin and underlying soft tissue are compressed between a bony prominence and an external surface for an extended period of time. This reduces blood circulation in the affected area and, if not relieved, can cause damage and necrosis of soft tissues and even bone.

Types of Pressure Ulcers

Pressure sores are typically classified into four main stages based on their depth and severity:

Stage 1: Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin - Redness of the skin that does not fade when pressure is relieved.
Stage 2: Partial thickness skin loss - Breaks in the skin involving epidermis and/or dermis layers. The wound bed is viable, pink or red, moist, and may also present as a blister or shallow crater.
Stage 3: Full thickness skin loss - Breaks through the entire epidermis and penetrates into Pressure Ulcers Treatment subcutaneous tissue but not through underlying fascia. The wound presents as a deep crater with or without undermining adjacent tissue.

 
Stage 4: Full thickness tissue loss - Full thickness skin and tissue loss with exposed or directly palpable fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage or bone in the ulcer. Slough and/or eschar may be visible.

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