How to prevent pressure sores

Healthy people make regular small movements to prevent long-term pressure interrupting blood supply to any part of the body. Without being conscious of it, we change position in our chair to protect the tissues of our buttocks and thighs. While we sleep, we make movements to protect our buttocks, hips, shoulders and heads. When we stand, we shift our weight back and forwards and between legs to protect our feet.

If lying on a hard floor after a fall, the parts of your skeleton which are in contact with the floor must support your entire weight. If you are unable to move at all it does not take long for pressure sores to develop.

It is possible to slow this development by trying to distribute your weight as evenly as possible. It helps if you can place something soft between your bony part and the floor. Shifting your body as much as the present pain allows for, will relieve the pressure and allows blood to flow back to the tissue and in turn will prevent or delay the onset of pressure sores.