ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the case study of an 82-year-old man. He has been a resident of the home following a cerebrovascular accident two months ago and although he is showing signs of neurological recovery his mobility is limited by osteoarthritis of the hips and knees. He is a frail man with limited mobility during the examination. He has a well-defined area of ulceration over the medial aspect of his left heel. The ulcer is ‘punched out’ with a dry necrotic eschar overlying the base, the surrounding skin is erythematous. The diagnosis in this patient is pressure or decubitus ulcer. The ulcer is located over a bony prominence. The prevention and care of chronic lower leg ulceration places a significant burden on patients and the health care system. Non-healing ulcers place the patient at risk for lower extremity amputation. Pressure relief is essential to the management of pressure ulcers using repositioning schedules and specialized beds.
