I am posting this mostly to remind other members to be vigilant in recognising the start of a pressure sore. Many of us, when we think of what a pressure sore is, we imagine the very grim looking deep and open wounds that are oozing with infection.
Well as everything does, they it all starts somewhere and my post is also because I have developed a Stage 1 pressure sore on my calf area at the bag of my left leg. It took me more so by suprise because I am very active, whilst I use a chair I can also walk on crutches but due to previous DVT's, I need to raise my legs every day. This has been the issue because although the recliner that I use is padded, the issue is more so due to the fact that on this part of my leg, there is no muscle really so the pressure is more so to the skin and to the bone.
I know from reading in the past that no matter how it looks externally, internally is another matter because there is more significant damange underneath, General guidance is to remove the cause of pressure, which in my case is the recliner and try a cushion that supports the legs without adding pressure.
I am hoping that within a few days it goes and then I just need to practise careful management. It would be more easily resolved if I did not need to minimize the potential of further blood clots but as I have had 3 already, I need to give priority to the management.
My right leg isnt affected at all, which is due to the fact that the muscle wastage is less on this leg which really does reinforce how the vigilant we need to be. Where this sore is, it is over a 4 inch area by 3 inch so it is quite significant.
Anyways, just a reminder to keep a look a look out because changes can creep upon is quite unaware at times. If anyone would find it useful I can post a pic!
Post by kilg0retr0ut on Aug 4, 2017 6:32:42 GMT -8
Very true Lara, I had one on my foot, kinda on the side of my pinky toe. I was told by my Doc to report to the wound clinic, so I get there and was told it was fine. I can't feel pain much in that area, but I was feeling a weird pinch. About two days later the thing ballooned kinda like a blood blister, but it was the size of a quarter. I call the Doc and he saw the shape of it and debrided it on the spot. I thought it would pop when he started cutting, but it didn't. He found that it was tunneling and stuck a swab about a half of inch into it to show me.
So I agree, even a stage 1 sore should be taken seriously. And from experience you have to keep the pressure off. The time you spend letting it heal is much less than if you don't.
Ok, this is the early stage and is resolvable pretty easily at this point by removing the source of pressure. I will apologise now for the lack of 'gore', for it looks like a bruise only its close up too- il try better next time!
Yes, Lara. For 'gore', I have some that could easily out-do you. But you are smart to take immediate remedial action. And the 3" by 4" area of the sore is scarey. I just now saw the photo. I don't know how I missed it when you first posted it.
I'm worried I may develop. I haven't yet, but how does it feel to know the difference between a zit on your butt or a pressure sore? what is the feeling like of a beginning pressure sore?
It can be quite scary when you first see one of those red spots, Lαrα, and yours does cover a fairly big area, although it does look very good right now. Good that you were vigilant and caught it before it got worse. Maybe a bit of retail therapy would help (new recliner?). I recently had a stage one (very small) at the top of my bottom and was given Optifoam to put over it for a few days. Not sure if it's called the same thing outside the US, but I discovered it on Amazon and it works well for temporary protection. Wobenzym enzymes also help to thin the blood, but beware if you're already on blood thiners! sam I didn't feel my sore. My husband was the one to noticed the red spot and alerted me, otherwise I probably wouldn't have seen it until later. Good luck with it Lara. I hope it resolves soon for you.
...sam I didn't feel my sore. My husband was the one to noticed the red spot and alerted me, otherwise I probably wouldn't have seen it until later.
no feeling at all, oh I get it, they happen in highly impaired areas or areas of no feeling and that's why they are dangerous and be very severe. luckily I feel pain in all areas except left foot and left hand, and likely I wont get pressure wounds in those parts.
...sam I didn't feel my sore. My husband was the one to noticed the red spot and alerted me, otherwise I probably wouldn't have seen it until later.
no feeling at all, oh I get it, they happen in highly impaired areas or areas of no feeling and that's why they are dangerous and be very severe. luckily I feel pain in all areas except left foot and left hand, and likely I wont get pressure wounds in those parts.
Yes, sam, silly as sounds to most people, pain is a very good thing in most cases. It's the body's warning system that something's wrong. I guess we can always depend on AD for letting us know when we have some pain, but then we still have to find out where, exactly, the pain is. You're lucky in that respect to feel pain. Others are not so lucky when they have uncontrollable neurogenic pain. Human bodies are just such marvelous creations when they function as they should. It's amazing that as complicated as they are they actually manage to function well for most people.
Sam, I have partial feeling below my injury level. It's a tingly feeling, sort of like when your arm or leg 'goes to sleep', and when you touch it, the exact location of where it's being touched is vague. I'm glad that I have any feeling at all, but,...somewhat ironically,...in the case of pressure sores, I seem to be getting the worst of both worlds. I don't have enough feeling to know that the sore is getting started, but once it does get started, the pain is terrible and I can't sit on it at all. And it hurts until it is entirely healed. Now, after what I've been through, I've become hyper-aware of anything at all that causes me discomfort on my 'behind side'. I'm in constant self-preservation mode.
Sam, I have partial feeling below my injury level. It's a tingly feeling, sort of like when your arm or leg 'goes to sleep', and when you touch it, the exact location of where it's being touched is vague. I'm glad that I have any feeling at all, but,...somewhat ironically,...in the case of pressure sores, I seem to be getting the worst of both worlds. I don't have enough feeling to know that the sore is getting started, but once it does get started, the pain is terrible and I can't sit on it at all. And it hurts until it is entirely healed. Now, after what I've been through, I've become hyper-aware of anything at all that causes me discomfort on my 'behind side'. I'm in constant self-preservation mode.
I know just what u mean, the tingly feeling, that's what I have in my left hand and left foot, so its severely impaired, the rest of my body below injury level is mildly impaired in certain areas. the reason I was nervous is because my left butt cheek seems to be sensitive and irritated frequently by my many hours sitting. I was curious to find out when and how they start.
I am no longer on blood thinners, I have a new recliner also! I still have a red area, it is somewhat improved since I am putting a cushion underneath. I am numb completely in that part of my leg so I didn't even notice it at first, I did get a deep inside pain that alerted me.
It does not seem to be developing or worsening at all so hopefully it will be just fine.
Sam, have you a hand mirror that you can use to check out your butt or ask someone close to you to do a regular check. Its important to keep your skin in good condition, to help prevent shearing. I have posted about a natural oil that I made up and it keeps my skin supple.I will dig it out and bump it.
I am no longer on blood thinners, I have a new recliner also! I still have a red area, it is somewhat improved since I am putting a cushion underneath. I am numb completely in that part of my leg so I didn't even notice it at first, I did get a deep inside pain that alerted me.
It does not seem to be developing or worsening at all so hopefully it will be just fine.
Sam, have you a hand mirror that you can use to check out your butt or ask someone close to you to do a regular check. Its important to keep your skin in good condition, to help prevent shearing. I have posted about a natural oil that I made up and it keeps my skin supple.I will dig it out and bump it.
I'd love to hear about the oil Lαrα, Please post a recipe if you can find it. I'm glad to hear that things are improving, and that you had an opportunity for some retail therapy. vintage, it's good that you havethat sensation and can also relate to sam,'s sense of feeling. The mirror is a great idea.