Bedsore; Decubitus ulcer

A pressure ulcer starts as reddened skin that gets worse over time. It forms a blister, then an open sore, and finally a crater.

The most common places for pressure ulcers to form are over bones close to the skin, like the elbow, heels, hips, ankles, shoulders, back, and back of the head.

Pressure sores are categorized by how severe they are, from Stage I (earliest signs) to Stage IV (worst):

• Stage I: A reddened area on the skin that, when pressed, does not turn white. This indicates that a pressure ulcer is starting to develop.
• Stage II: The skin blisters or forms an open sore. The area around the sore may be red and irritated.
• Stage III: The skin breakdown now looks like a crater. There is damage to the tissue below the skin.
• Stage IV: The pressure ulcer has become so deep that there is damage to the muscle and bone, and sometimes to tendons and joints.

Images

Progression of a decubitis ulcer

Areas where bedsores occur

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Pressure ulcer Overview

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Pressure ulcer Treatment

Review Date: 11/22/2010
Reviewed By: Richard J. Moskowitz, MD, Private Practice, Mineola, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)