|
(Content lasted reviewed - July 19, 2000)
Are all "ulcers" pressure ulcers?
No. Skin breakdown may be caused by a variety of reasons including trauma (for example, skin tears), moisture (excoriation and maceration), arterial insufficiency (arterial ulcers), venous insufficiency (venous ulcers), and diabetic neuropathy (diabetic or neuropathic foot ulcers). These wounds are often confused with pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are caused by prolonged pressure and typically occur over bony prominences in bed- or chair-bound individuals. Wound characteristics can be used to distinguish pressure ulcers from other types of chronic wounds.
If a patient with poor peripheral circulation and diabetic neuropathy in the lower extremities develops an ulcer from a shoe rubbing on the side of the foot, is that wound a pressure ulcer?
No. It is not a classic pressure ulcer that occurred in a bed- or chairbound patient. Nonetheless, ulcers of this type can be reduced in ambulatory patients by providing proper fitting footwear.
You may wish to consult the following source(s):
Bergstrom, N., Allman, R. M., Alvarez, O. M., Bennett, M. A., Carlson, C. E., Frantz, R. A., Garber, S. L., Jackson, B. S., Kaminski, M. V., Kemp, M. G., Krouskop, T. A., Lewis, V. L., Maklebust, J., Margolis, D. J., Marvel, E. M., Reger, S. I., Rodeheaver, G. T., Salcido, R., Xakellis, G. C., & Yarkony, G. M. (1994). Treatment of Pressure Ulcers. Clinical Practice Guideline, Number 15. AHCPR Publication No. 95-0652. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. December 1994.
Falanga, V. (1997). Venous ulceration: Assessment, classification, and management. In D. Krasner & D. Kane (Eds.), Chronic wound care (2nd edition) (pp. 165-171). Wayne, PA: Health Management Publications.
Holloway, G. A., Jr. (1997). Arterial ulcers: Assessment, classification, and management. In D. Krasner & D. Kane (Eds.), Chronic wound care (2nd edition) (pp. 158-164). Wayne, PA: Health Management Publications.
Levin, M. (1997). Diabetic foot wounds: Pathogenesis and management. Advances in Wound Care,10(2), 24-30.
Steed, D. L. (1997). Diabetic wounds: Assessment, classification, and management. In D. Krasner & D. Kane (Eds.), Chronic wound care (2nd edition) (pp. 172-177). Wayne, PA: Health Management Publications.
|
