Can Stage 4 Bed Sores Heal?
When you admit your loved one into a nursing home, it seems unimaginable that they could develop a serious and life-threatening injury such as a bed sore due to neglect by nursing home staff members. Sadly, nursing home neglect happens more often than many people realize. Sometimes, neglect is overlooked until the resident becomes injured.
Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, occur when residents are confined to a bed or wheelchair and are not repositioned regularly. Bed sores have a number of stages, with stage four being the worst. Many people with loved ones in nursing homes wonder if bed sores in this last stage can heal. Below, our Tampa bed sores attorneys explain.
What are Stage 4 Bedsores?
Bed sores are caused by unrelieved pressure on the skin, which is why nursing home residents with limited mobility are most susceptible to them. Stage four bed sores are the most serious. They can result in damage to muscles, tendons, and even bones. These bed sores are also most susceptible to serious infections, which can be life-threatening. Some of the most common areas of the body where bed sores form are as follows:
- Buttocks
- Ankles
- Elbows
- Back
- Hips
- Heels
- Tailbone
Even being left in a wheelchair or bed for just a few hours is long enough for bed sores to form. Once a bed sore has formed, it can advance into the more serious stages rather quickly. It is critical that nursing home staff members reposition residents regularly to prevent bed sores from developing.
How to Identify Stage 4 Bedsores
Due to the fact that bed sores have four different stages, it can be difficult to identify the specific stage of a bed sore. Stage four bed sores look like open wounds. They may emit a foul smell, fluid may ooze or drain from them, and bones, ligaments, and muscle may be exposed. While bed sores in the early stages may take two or three weeks to heal, those in the later stages can take months or years before they fully heal.
Do Stage 4 Bed Sores Heal?
Bed sores in stage four can heal, but it requires immediate, specialized treatment from a medical provider. Surgery is typically required, which may include removing dead tissue through a surgical debridement. Skin grafts are also often required as these can help close the wound and help it heal quicker. Bed sores that have advanced to stage four can take up to four years before they completely heal.
Contact Our Bed Sores Attorneys in Tampa for Help with Your Case
Of all the different types of bed sores, those that have advanced to stage four are considered an emergency that need immediate medical attention. At Kohn Law, our Tampa bed sores attorneys can help your family obtain the necessary compensation you need for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or chat with us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help with your case.
