Pressure which prevents adequate blood from reaching the skin and the tissues beneath may cause bedsores. There are many factors that may lead to pressure sores and people should be on the look out in order to prevent problems before they become serious. Bed sore lawyers believe that three primary factors contribute to bedsores:
- Sustained pressure
- Friction
- Shear
Sustained Pressure, Friction, and Shear are the 3 Primary Contributors to Bedsores
Sustained pressure occurs when the skin and tissue are compacted between the bone and an outer surface. Surfaces such as beds and wheel chairs are the most common. The pressure may over power the blood, flowing through the capillaries, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching the skin tissues. Bedsore attorneys believe that regions of the body that are not protected by fat or muscle tend to be at the greatest risk of bedsores caused by sustained pressure.
Friction generally occurs when the skin makes contact with an outside surface through different movements. People changing positions or being moved by care providers may experience friction causing the skin to resist the particular movement. Through friction, skin will become more fragile and susceptible to further injury.
The action of two surfaces moving in opposite directions is known as shear. Shear will cause tissue and blood vessel damage. This type of damage could leave people vulnerable to bedsores. A common example of shear is when a person slides downward in a hospital bed. The tailbone will move downward while the skin over the bone remains in place. This sensation of pulling in opposite directions could leave people vulnerable to bedsores.
Bed Sore Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If your loved one has acquired a bed sore while in a nursing home, or has had negligent treatment of a bed sore or pressure ulcer, immediately seek further medical attention. Our professionals are dedicated to holding nursing homes responsible. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
Wheelchairs are a necessary means of mobility for many people worldwide. Although wheelchairs allow individuals to move freely from place to place, the extended period of time in the same position could lead to pressure ulcers. Those who rely on wheelchairs need to be weary of this potential. People who frequently use wheelchairs often suffer from pressure sores in a few sites in particular. The tailbone or buttocks, the shoulder blades and spine, and the backs of the legs and arms are common sites for bedsores to form. These areas of the body rest against the wheelchair for a prolonged period of time, creating a wound which slowly evolves through the bedsore stages.