ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Pressure Ulcers

What is pressure ulcers?

11 December 2025

Pressure ulcers are lesions or sores on the skin and subcutaneous tissue that form as a result of prolonged pressure on the dermis, especially in people with limited mobility, whether due to an accident or a medical condition that requires them to remain in bed or a wheelchair.

Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or decubitus ulcers, develop quickly because continuous pressure against the skin limits blood flow to the affected area.

They are classified according to the depth and degree of involvement of the skin and tissues. The most common areas for development include:

  • Hips
  • Coccyx (tailbone)
  • Lower back
  • Buttocks
  • Shoulder blades
  • Back of the arms, head, and legs
  • Heels
  • Ankles

A series of conditions can favor the formation of pressure ulcers, such as:

  • Friction on the skin.
  • Poor hydration and nutrition.
  • Incontinence.
  • Immobility.
  • Spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders, and other pathologies that can cause a loss of sensation.
  • Constant pressure on any part of the body.
  • Health problems that can affect blood flow, such as diabetes and vascular diseases.
  • Shearing.

Signs and symptoms Pressure Ulcers

  • Changes in skin color or texture.
  • Pain.
  • Discomfort.
  • Swelling/Inflammation.
  • Oozing sores.
  • Tenderness.
  • Areas that are colder or warmer than others to the touch.

Diagnosis and treatment Pressure Ulcers

After analyzing your symptoms and clinical history, the doctor will perform a physical examination of your skin and request a blood test.

The goal of pressure ulcer treatment is to:

  • Control pain.
  • Care for the wounds.
  • Maintain a healthy diet.
  • Prevent infection.
  • Reduce pressure on the affected skin.

In more extreme cases, surgery may be required to remove the damaged tissue.

In the Department of Internal Medicine at Centro Médico ABC, we provide medical care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up for infectious, respiratory, endocrine, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies—covering both chronic-degenerative conditions and acute cases—through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Pressure Ulcers

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • cancer.gov
  • cun.es
  • elsevier.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • middlesexhealth.org
  • wnyurology.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Rolle TC, Suen DJE, Martín-Viaña YF, et al. Estimulación eléctrica en el tratamiento de la úlcera por presión. Revista Cubana de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular. 2020;21(3):1-9.
  • Fernández CR, Ramírez CI. Úlceras faciales por presión en pacientes postoperados de artrodesis de columna lumbar. Dermatología Cosmética, Médica y Quirúrgica. 2022;20(3):280-284.
  • Ramírez CA. Técnica de tendido de cama institucional y su asociación con el desarrollo de úlceras por presión. CuidArte. 2017;6(11):16-23.

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