How to prevent pressure sores when a crash limits your movement

What a wound care nurse and an occupational therapist want you to know about pressure injuries

For survivors and families3 min read

Recovery complicationsPressure soresWounds and burnsHome careWarning signs

Spending much of the day in bed or a chair can lead to a pressure injury. The risk goes up when you can’t move or feel as much as usual. Sores can form on the heels, hips, tailbone, elbows and back. A wound care nurse watches for early skin changes. An occupational therapist helps you shift position without breaking your injury limits. [1, 2]

Catch trouble before the skin breaks

Look over your pressure areas every day, or have someone you trust do it. Watch for a patch that changes color, feels warmer or firmer, or hurts. A blister or open spot is another sign. Redness can be harder to see on darker skin. Pay close attention to changes in warmth and texture as well. [1, 2]

Take a photo if it helps your team compare. Still, report a change that lasts or gets worse without delay. [1, 2]

Shift your weight without breaking your limits

Ask your team how often to turn in bed or shift your weight in a chair. Regular position changes are a common part of prevention. A broken bone, surgery or a spine restriction may change how you do them. Ask someone to show you a method that respects those limits. Don’t let your skin drag across the sheets when you move from one surface to another. A therapist can teach a safer way or suggest equipment. [1]

Keep your skin clean and dry. Smooth out wrinkles in sheets and clothes. Ask whether a special cushion, mattress or heel support would suit you. Don’t count on a donut shaped cushion. It can put extra pressure on the skin around the ring. If you can’t check your own skin or change position, set a clear plan for who will help and when. [1]

What to do when you spot a change

Take pressure off the area with the method your team taught you. Call a doctor or nurse if a mark lingers, turns painful or warm, blisters, opens or drains. Do not rub or massage a spot that worries you. A small skin change is easier to treat before it turns into a deeper wound. [1, 2, 3]

Ask your team about protecting your skin

  1. Which positions are safe with my injuries?
  2. Who will look at the parts of my skin I can’t see?
  3. What gear or extra help will I need to shift position?

Build a daily skin routine

Set a time each day to check your skin. Make a plan for changing position that fits your limits. If a new sore has already appeared, call your treating team. [1, 2]

Sources and further reading

  1. 1MedlinePlus preventing pressure injuries
  2. 2MedlinePlus pressure sores overview
  3. 3MedlinePlus caring for pressure sores

This article shares general guidance from wound care nursing and occupational therapy. Ask a doctor or nurse about any new patch of skin that hurts, feels warm, opens or drains.

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