Spinal cord injury patients face a host of issues because of their injury. For some spinal cord injury patients, moving around might be an issue. These patients are dependent on others to make sure that they are turned and moved so that they don’t get pressure ulcers.

On behalf of Joseph Caprara of CBLAW posted in Spinal Cord Injuries on Thursday, September 24, 2015.

Spinal cord injury patients face a host of issues because of their injury. For some spinal cord injury patients, moving around might be an issue. These patients are dependent on others to make sure that they are turned and moved so that they don’t get pressure ulcers.

What is a pressure ulcer?

Pressure ulcers are sores on the patient’s skin that is caused by pressure, friction, or a combination of both. These ulcers usually occur on areas of the body that are bony, but they can affect any area of the body. Pressure ulcers can affect only the top layer of skin if the ulcers aren’t too bad. As the ulcer gets worse, it begins to affect deeper layers of the body. Treating an ulcer immediately is vital to prevent the sore from worsening.

How are pressure ulcers treated?

Pressure ulcers are open sores that are prone to infections from bacteria. Antibiotics and covering the ulcer might help in the beginning stages. If the pressure sore is more advanced, it might be necessary to take more invasive approaches for treatment. These might include debriding the wound to clean out damaged or diseased tissues.

Spinal cord injury patients deserve proper care. If pressure ulcers are a concern, medical professionals should take necessary precautions to prevent the sores. They should also properly monitor the patient for pressure sores if there are any indicators that suggest the patient is at risk. If a pressure ulcer is found, immediate and appropriate treatment is necessary. When a spinal cord injury or the related issues aren’t handled in an accepted manner by medical professionals, the patient might opt to seek compensation.

Source: Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, “Pressure Ulcers,” accessed Sep. 24, 2015