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Pressure Sores (Bedsores)

Advanced regenerative treatment for pressure injuries and bedsores. Promote faster healing and prevent complications with specialized mobile care.

Pressure Injuries: 100% Preventable, Yet They Still Happen

Pressure sores (bedsores, pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers) develop when sustained pressure cuts off blood supply to skin and tissue. The science is clear: with proper prevention protocols, these wounds should never occur—yet 2.5 million Americans develop them each year, mostly in vulnerable populations who can't reposition themselves.

The Critical 2-Hour Window

2hrs

The Science of Pressure Damage

When pressure exceeds 32 mmHg (capillary closing pressure) for more than 2 hours, tissue begins to die from oxygen starvation. This is why repositioning every 2 hours is the cornerstone of prevention.

What Happens Minute by Minute:

0-30 min

Capillaries compressed, blood flow reduced. Temporary—reversible with position change.

30-120 min

Tissue ischemia begins. Cells switch to anaerobic metabolism, waste products accumulate. Still mostly reversible.

2+ hours

Irreversible damage. Cell death occurs, inflammatory response triggered. A pressure injury has formed.

Understanding the 6 Stages of Pressure Injuries

Medical professionals use a standardized staging system to classify pressure injury severity. Understanding these stages helps you recognize problems early:

1

Stage 1: Non-Blanchable Redness

What you see: Intact skin with persistent redness that doesn't turn white when you press it. May be warmer or cooler than surrounding skin. Patient may report pain, itching, or tenderness.

⚠️ Warning Sign That Needs Immediate Action

Stage 1 is your chance to prevent deeper damage. Eliminate all pressure immediately—damage is progressing beneath the surface even though skin looks intact.

2

Stage 2: Partial Thickness Skin Loss

What you see: Shallow open ulcer with red/pink wound bed. May appear as intact or ruptured blister. Epidermis and possibly dermis are damaged.

Healing Potential: Good with Proper Care

Stage 2 wounds typically heal within 3-6 weeks with pressure elimination, moisture-retentive dressings, and proper nutrition. Won't progress if pressure removed.

3

Stage 3: Full Thickness Skin Loss

What you see: Deep crater extending into subcutaneous fat layer. May see yellow slough (dead tissue) but bone/tendon not visible. Undermining and tunneling may occur.

Specialist Care Required

Stage 3 requires aggressive treatment: sharp debridement, advanced dressings, offloading devices, high-protein nutrition. Healing time 2-6 months. Risk of infection high.

4

Stage 4: Full Thickness Tissue Loss

What you see: Exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. Extensive tissue destruction. Slough or eschar often present. Almost always has undermining and tunneling.

⚠️ Medical Emergency

Stage 4 can be life-threatening. Risk of osteomyelitis (bone infection), sepsis. May require hospitalization, IV antibiotics, surgery. Healing time 6-12+ months. Some never fully close.

?

Unstageable: Obscured Full Thickness

What you see: Wound bed completely covered by yellow slough or black/brown eschar. True depth cannot be determined until dead tissue removed.

Hidden Danger

Usually Stage 3 or 4 underneath. Requires debridement to assess true extent. Eschar on heels should not be removed if dry and intact (protective barrier).

DTI

Deep Tissue Injury: Suspected Deep Damage

What you see: Intact skin with dark purple or maroon discoloration. May have blood-filled blister. Feels boggy or firm compared to surrounding tissue.

The Iceberg Effect

Surface looks minor but massive damage underneath. Often evolves into Stage 3 or 4 over days/weeks as dead tissue declares itself. Immediate pressure relief critical.

Where Pressure Injuries Develop

Lying in Bed (Supine/Back)

  • Sacrum/tailbone - #1 most common location (30% of all pressure injuries)
  • Heels - #2 most common, especially in ICU patients
  • Back of head - Especially infants and elderly
  • Shoulder blades - When slumped in bed
  • Elbows - If resting weight on them

Sitting in Chair/Wheelchair

  • Buttocks/ischial tuberosities - Sitting bones bear full weight
  • Tailbone (coccyx) - When slouched down in chair
  • Spine - Against chair back
  • Feet - Pressure against footrests
  • Elbows - On wheelchair armrests

Our Pressure Injury Treatment Protocol

Healing pressure injuries requires eliminating the cause while accelerating tissue repair:

#1 Priority: Complete Pressure Elimination

Specialized support surfaces (low air-loss mattresses, alternating pressure systems), heel offloading boots, repositioning schedules, wheelchair cushion optimization. No healing occurs under pressure—elimination is non-negotiable.

Aggressive Debridement

Remove dead tissue, slough, and eschar (except stable heel eschar). Stage 3/4 wounds require sharp surgical debridement to healthy bleeding tissue. Reduces infection risk, allows accurate staging.

Advanced Biologics for Stage 3/4

Amniotic grafts, cellular matrices for deep wounds. Provide growth factors and scaffolding for tissue regeneration. Studies show 2-3x faster healing than standard care alone. View options

Aggressive Nutritional Support

Pressure injuries dramatically increase protein needs (1.25-1.5g/kg/day). Supplement with arginine, vitamin C, zinc. Consult dietitian for tube feeding if unable to eat adequate calories orally.

Infection Surveillance

Deep wounds are contaminated (not necessarily infected). Monitor for signs of infection, osteomyelitis. Cultures guide antibiotic selection when clinical infection present.

Expert Pressure Injury Care at Home

Whether you're dealing with Stage 2 or Stage 4, we bring hospital-level wound care expertise to your home. Get the pressure elimination strategies, advanced treatments, and support you need.

✓ All 6 Stages Treated  •  ✓ Pressure Elimination Protocols  •  ✓ Medicare Covered