Can a Nursing Home Resident Recover from a Stage 4 Bed Sore?
Bed sores are serious, life-threatening injuries. It is unimaginable that when your loved one is in a nursing home, they could suffer this type of injury due to negligent care. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect is not uncommon. Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, most often occur when residents have limited mobility and are subject to constant pressure while in a wheelchair or bed. When a resident is not repositioned regularly, it can result in bed sores.
Stage 4 is the most severe stage of bed sores. After a bed sore has gotten to this stage, a nursing home resident’s health can decline quickly. This leads many family members to ask whether a nursing home resident can recover from a stage 4 bed sore. Below, our Tampa bed sores attorneys explains further.
What are the Different Stages of Bed Sores?
There are four different stages of bed sores. During the first stage, blood can no longer flow to the point of the body where the skin comes into contact with a wheelchair, bed, or other piece of furniture or equipment. The symptoms of a bed sore in stage one is redness, itchiness, and burning. The skin may also feel warm to the touch.
When a bed sore reaches stage 2, a blister may appear or it might become an open wound that is very painful. In stage 3, the sore will start to appear as a crater because the injury is impacting deeper layers of skin. A stage 4 bedsore is the most significant and will appear as a large, open, festering wound. At this stage, the sore may also drain or ooze fluid, have a foul smell, and expose bone, muscle, or ligaments.
Stage 4 bedsores are very serious. They can result in damage to the muscles, tendon, and even bones. Stage 4 bedsores are also more prone to infections, which can be life-threatening.
Can a Stage Four Pressure Sore Completely Heal?
Stage 4 pressure sores can heal in some instances. However, this requires immediate and specialized treatment from a medical professional. In the majority of cases, stage 4 pressure sores require surgery to remove the dead tissue. Skin grafts are also sometimes necessary so the wound can close more quickly, allowing faster healing. Sometimes, a stage 4 pressure sore can take up to two years to completely heal.
Stage 4 bedsores can result in serious complications if they are not treated promptly. An infection can develop and spread to the blood, heart, and bones, resulting in a life-threatening condition. In some instances, pressure sores may become so large that a limb amputation is required. Even when treated, a pressure sore can result in secondary issues, such as a urinary tract infection.
Contact Our Bed Sores Attorneys in Tampa Today
When a bed sore reaches Stage 4, it is a medical emergency. If your loved one has suffered this type of injury due to neglect, our Tampa bed sores attorneys is here to help. At Kohn Law, our experienced attorneys can help your family obtain the compensation you deserve when nursing home neglect has resulted in a serious injury. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or chat with us online to schedule a consultation and to get more information.
Source:
cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db14.htm
