More than 2.5 million people develop pressure injuries every year in the United States. This type of injury is most common in the elderly and immobile, especially people who are in hospitals, nursing homes, or other long-term healthcare facilities. Pressure injuries, although they can start out easily treatable, can quickly become severe and life-threatening.

According to America’s Health Rankings from the United Health Foundation (UHF), 55.8 million people in the U.S. is aged 65 or older. That’s almost 17% of Americans at risk for pressure injuries, and that’s not even counting younger people who may be immobile for any reason. It’s very important to understand and share with others how common and dangerous pressure injuries can be, what the signs are, and what you can do to prevent them.

In the United States, more than 2.5 million people develop pressure ulcers each year. You are at greater risk for pressure injuries if you have chronic incontinence, medical conditions that affect blood flow, memory problems, or overall immobility issues. As with a lot of potentially serious illnesses, pressure ulcers have different stages or levels of severity but can usually be managed with proper care.

Pressure ulcers are a bigger risk for elderly or immobile people who might be living in a nursing home or long-term care facility. If you or someone you know has developed pressure ulcers due to neglect in a nursing home, our expert legal team at McMath Woods P.A. is here to help.

Pressure sores, commonly called bedsores or, more recently, pressure injuries, usually happen to people who are bedridden, mostly immobile, unconscious, in a coma, or possibly just unable to sense pain. If pressure sores are left untreated, they can result in serious, irreparable damage to your skin and muscles, which usually requires extensive surgery, hospital stays, and ongoing treatment of the affected areas.

We’ll explain what pressure sores are, what causes them, and most importantly, how to recognize the signs or symptoms of pressure sores before too much damage happens to your body. If you or a loved one has suffered due to pressure sores, our experienced team of Little Rock pressure injury lawyers is here to help.