Pressure ulcer wound stages and dressings
Unlike other wounds, pressure ulcers are classified into four stages based on their severity. Pressure ulcers happen when the skin and tissue under the skin are injured from constant pressure. Bony places on the body like the heels, ankles, hips and buttocks are at particular risk for bed sores since the bone is close to the skin and can press against it. People with limited mobility – perhaps they’re confined to a wheelchair or bedridden – are most prone to pressure ulcers.
Wound dressings, which help promote healing and keep the sore from becoming worse, are just part of a person’s overall wound treatment. Often different kinds of dressings are used in combination during the healing process to best treat the wound. Along with dressings, your health care provider may recommend ways to relieve the pressure to the affected area to prevent further injury.
This chart provides information for the four pressure ulcer stages along with the dressings that may be recommended for each. This chart can be used in consultation with your health care provider to help you choose the right dressing for your specific wound. Keep in mind, determining the type of a pressure ulcer is only one aspect used when choosing a dressing. Also, if the wound is infected or chronic, additional wound dressing choices may be used.
Note: Wound dressing selection can vary between health care providers and health care institutions.
Wound Type | Characteristics | Indicated Dressings Recommended Products |
Stage I Pressure Ulcer |
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Stage II Pressure Ulcer |
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Stage III Pressure Ulcer |
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Stage IV Pressure Ulcer |
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Edgepark provides a wide range of advanced wound care dressings to address all stages of healing and treatment.