decubitus ulcers

Bedsores. ULCERS caused by unduly sustained skin pressure. These affect especially the buttocks, the heels, the elbows and the back of the head of people with loss of sensation from neurological damage or who are paralysed or too debilitated to move much. Bedsores may progress to complete local loss of skin with exposure of the underlying tendons or bone.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Decubitus ulcers

A pressure sore resulting from ulceration of the skin occurring in persons confined to bed for long periods of time

Mentioned in: Immobilization

Patient discussion about decubitus ulcers

Q. I ask a client's Dr. to script flexaril for a lower back spasm and he made it for a drug called zanaflex? I am unfamiliar with zanaflex, what is the difference between it and flexaril 25mg? Benefits? Risks? I got him to order the air mattress and extended bed because client is 6'3" and is already bedridden on my 1st day..try to beat the skin breakdown, already stage I decubitis ulcers. I tried to talk the client into slideboard and lift away arm wheelchair...noway..he wants to walk bent with a rolling walker. He already had a lift chair delivered, so he just goes from bed to lift chair. He refuses to let me bathe him. He can't see, and he has me check his draw up on insulin to make sure it's right. He sends the P.T. man right back out the door after he signs the sheet. Difficult pt.!

A. Flexeril and Zanaflex are different drugs but are both muscle relaxants. There are hardly any differences between the two, clinically wise. If the doctor thought one is better than the other for your client I would suggest you take his advice and use the one he gave you.

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