Current conservative approaches and novelties on pressure sores in patients needing neurorehabilitation

J Med Life. 2012 Oct-Dec;5(Spec Issue):95-101.

Abstract

Background: One major objective in medical units specialized in caring for patients with severe neurological lesions is to reduce the incidence of pressure sores. Objective: A purpose of this article is to give solutions regarding the way to decrease the incidence or progression of pressure ulcer development and offer recommendations for appropriate treatment of pressure sore(s). Material and methods: A systematic literature search was performed based on a practical perspective, a comparative study with two components was conducted: a retrospective and a prospective one regarding the efficiency of a set of prophylactic and therapeutic measures, concomitantly with an enlarged treatment options panel and accessibility to the patient referred. Discussion: It should be pointed out that one characteristic of pressure sores - supplementary enhancing their poor prognostic - is their tendency to recurrence, often meaning augmentation of their severity no matter the therapeutic endeavors approached. Therefore, prevention remains the key point in medicine and in particular for pressure sores: saves the patient from unnecessary suffering, requires less time and expenses allocated from the budget department. Conclusion: Patients needing neurorehabilitation associate immobility at high risk for the development of decubitus ulcers. The most efficient way to prevent and treat pressure sores, is to early asses and identify their general and respectively specific risk factors in each patient and consequently to promptly initiate prevention or curative appropriate measures.

Keywords: conservative treatment; neuromotor impairments; physical therapy; pressure sores; prevention.