Pressure Ulcers

Between one and three million Americans develop pressure ulcers, often referred to as bed sores, annually. At Complete Wound Care in Wallingford and Milford, Connecticut, complex wound care specialists Adrian Wyllie, MD, MBA, CWSP, FAPWH, and Vadim Kurbatov, MD, PhD, use cutting-edge therapies to treat and heal pressure ulcers. Their knowledge and expertise reduce the risk of infection and promote the body’s healing process. Call the nearest Complete Wound Care office today to schedule pressure ulcer treatment, or book your appointment online.

What are pressure ulcers?

Pressure ulcers, or bed sores, are open wounds that form when the skin is placed under pressure for extended periods. They typically occur on or around the skin covering bony areas, such as the ankles, hips, heels, and lower back. 

Anyone can develop pressure ulcers. However, they most often occur in people with medical conditions that affect mobility, such as wheelchair users and bed-bound individuals. 

What are the symptoms of pressure ulcers?

Pressure ulcer symptoms include:

• Changes in skin color and texture
• Swelling
• Open, slow-healing wounds near or directly above bony areas
• Oozing pus

Pressure ulcers often develop slowly. Prompt treatment can prevent complications.

When should I see a wound care specialist about a pressure ulcer?

Make an appointment at Complete Wound Care if you or your loved one develop symptoms of a bed sore that don’t improve within 24-48 hours of changing position. This is especially true if you have signs of an infection, such as a fever, drainage, or swelling around the sore. 

How are pressure ulcers diagnosed?

Your Complete Wound Care provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when you first noticed the ulcer and if it’s grown. 

Next, they complete an exam, assessing the ulcer’s location, shape, and size. 

Pressure ulcers are diagnosed in four stages. Stage 1 pressure ulcers are mild, while stage 4 pressure ulcers are severe. After assigning a stage, your provider makes personalized treatment recommendations.

How are bed sores treated?

The Complex Wound Care team treats bed sores using a holistic and patient-centered approach. Depending on the ulcer’s stage, they could recommend:

• Wound debridement (removal of dead and diseased tissue)
• UltraMIST® Therapy
• Cellular and/or tissue-based products (CTPs)
• Compression therapy
• Offloading therapy
• Advanced wound dressings
• Negative wound pressure therapy (NWPT)
• Prescription antibiotics
• Pain management

Complex Wound Care often recommends several treatments alongside healthy lifestyle changes, like regularly changing your position and eating a nutritious diet. However, if your pressure ulcer doesn’t heal, they might recommend flap surgery. 

During flap surgery, your provider takes skin or muscle from another part of your body or uses a placental allograft –– a special type of wound dressing –– to cover the ulcer and promote healing.

Call the nearest Complete Wound Care office today to schedule pressure ulcer treatment, or book your appointment online.