Types of Bedsores

There are two general types of bedsores - stageable and unstageable. Stageable bedsores are those which develop in the typical manner, and which a medical practitioner can successfully evaluate on the basis of size, depth and other factors in order to determine the stage and severity of the bedsore. Unstageable bedsores are those which do not develop in the typical manner. In particular, an unstageable bedsore is one which may develop without the visible craterous wound at the surface. This may be caused by the build-up of dead skin or tissue at the surface of the wound, which prevents the medical practitioner from being able to determine the stage or severity of the bedsore properly.

Unstageable bedsores can pose a problem for practitioners, as the injury may be far more severe than it first appears. Additionally, unstageable bedsores may lead to a delay in proper treatment as they do not follow the classic development seen in most bedsores, which may lead to a misdiagnosis. Both stageable and unstageable bedsores develop in the same areas of the body, typically over bony or cartilaginous areas that are subject to continual pressure in bedridden or wheel-chair bound patients. All types of bedsores are more likely to develop when the individual has problems with circulation or nutritional deficiencies. Bedsores may also be more likely to develop in an individual who is impaired in terms of sensory perception or who has neurological damage. This is because without the ability to feel the discomfort caused by continual pressure, these individuals may not self-adjust, and will not notice the injury until it has progressed significantly.

Regardless of the type of bedsore that has developed, prompt medical attention and intervention is necessary in order to ease the symptoms and facilitate a quick recovery. The longer a bedsore is allowed to develop unchecked, the greater the risk becomes for extended recovery times and infection, which can have dire consequences. While unstageable bedsores can prove particularly troublesome, even stageable bedsores can worsen quickly if they are not treated promptly. A well-trained medical practitioner will be able to spot both stageable and unstageable bedsores and will be able to devise a treatment plan based upon the case history and needs of the affected individual.