COMPLICATIONS FROM BEDSORES
Cellulitis. This acute infection of your skin's connective tissue causes pain, redness and swelling, all of which can be severe. Cellulitis can also lead to life-threatening complications, including sepsis and meningitis - an infection of the membrane and fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord.
Bone and joint infections. These develop when the infection from a bedsore burrows deep into your joints and bones. Joint infections (septic or infectious arthritis) can damage cartilage and tissue within days, whereas bone infections (osteomyelitis) may fester for years if not treated. Eventually, bone infections can lead to bone death and reduced function of your joints and limbs.
Necrotizing fasciitis. This rapidly spreading infection destroys the layers of tissue that surround your muscles. Initial signs and symptoms include fever, pain and massive swelling. Without treatment, death can occur in as little as 12 to 24 hours.
Gas gangrene (myonecrosis). A rare and severe form of gangrene, myonecrosis develops suddenly and dramatically and spreads so rapidly that changes in tissue are noticeable within minutes. The clostridium bacteria responsible for gas gangrene produce toxins that completely destroy affected muscle tissue and cause potentially fatal systemic problems.
Amputation. When left untreated bedsores will continue to fester and destroy live tissue. If left unchecked long enough it will manifest in the bone. This then leads to the need to amputate a limb (usually a leg) to stop the spread of the deeply burrowed wound.
Sepsis. One of the greatest dangers of an advanced pressure sore, sepsis occurs when bacteria from a massive infection enter your bloodstream and spread throughout your body - a rapidly progressing, life-threatening condition that can cause shock and organ failure.
Cancer. This is usually an aggressive carcinoma affecting the skin's squamous cells. It often can spread to the lymph nodes by the time it's diagnosed.
If you have a loved one in a nursing home, hospital or other care facility, check that person's skin condition, weight and general care every time you visit. If you notice any sign of bedsores or neglect, alert the nursing staff and attending physician or nursing home director immediately. You and other family members are in the best position to monitor and assess a loved one's condition. Be persistent, because if the administration and staff are slow to respond your loved one could develop bedsores. Bedsores are a sign of neglect! If you have a loved one who is being neglect, contact York Law Corporation to act on your behalf today!
Copyright 2008. York Law Corporation