The following symptoms and complaints may indicate a pressure ulcer:
Leading symptoms
- Redness of intact skin that cannot be pushed away.
- Skin discoloration
- Overheating
- Edema
- Hardening of the skin
- Pain in the affected area
* * Initially, the pain is easily localized by the patient and can be self-terminated by changing position. However, during the transition to the chronic stage, complex pain occurs (nociceptor pain/pain receptor pain with neuropathic component).
Decubital ulcers occur primarily on bony prominences; the following sites are commonly affected:
- Coccyx
- Heel
- Trochanter – large rolling mound on the thigh bone.
- Sacrum
- Shoulder blade
- Spinous processes of the spine
