Pressure sores – avoid these associated pains of quadriplegia!

One of the most daunting troubles that patients of quadriplegia suffer from are pressure sores. Pressure sores refer to the formation of a wound due to prolonged pressure on a particular point on the body. Unlike a paraplegic or an old person who occasionally uses a wheelchair, a patient of quadriplegia literally lives in his. He uses it on a long-term basis for almost 18 hours a day or more. This is the reason that these patients are more prone to sores than others who use these mobility aids periodically.

However, the most recent definition of the term pressure sores is inclusive of injuries caused by being in bed as well as those that result from sitting in a wheelchair. These may also include wounds from using an orthopedic device that presses against the skin, like crutches. Generally the scientific term that is used by doctors is to describe any such sore is decubitus ulcer. Once formed, pressure sores can take months to heal, can be quite painful, and can complicate and add to existing health problems. In worst cases, they can actually become life-threatening.

Nevertheless, there are steps that can be taken to prevent them from forming or to stop them from getting worse once they've formed. The most important thing to do is to make sure that no additional pressure is placed on the site until it has had a chance to fully heal. Placing special foam pads and pillows will help a patient of quadriplegia lie in bed without putting pressure on a wound. You must consult your physician and follow his advice and medication until the skin is once again unbroken and normal color is restored.

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