A 21-year-old member asked:
Do pressure sores require surgery?
3 doctor answers • 13 doctors weighed in
Dr. Latisha Smithanswered
Wound care 40 years experience
Sometimes yes: Pressure ulcers have degrees of severity. The most severe ulcers are grade 4 and usually have exposure of bone or muscle in the ulcer. The body cannot fill in the defect. These severe ulcers usually require surgical closure. A plastic surgeon usually moves some muscle along with skin to the opening and stitches it in place to close the ulcer. Grade 1, 2 & 3 ulcers will close with bandaging.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Barry Pressanswered
Plastic Surgery 46 years experience
Sometimes...: But it depends on their depth. Some will not heal if they are very deep. Even the best operation, however, cannot prevent the recurrence of pressure sores if the conditions that led to the sore in the first place are not corrected: avoidance of pressure, frequent repositioning, good skin care, spasm treatment (if a problem, ) and good nutrition are the keys to preventing recurrent pressure sores.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed Jun 18, 2022
Dr. Scott Bolhackanswered
Wound care 37 years experience
Pressure sore: Most pressure sores, once identified and treatment initiated, do not require surgery to treat. Surgery is reserved for severe and or deep injuries in which the best course of treatment is to have surgery performed to close before other issues arise (infection, debility, etc.) these surgeries are complicated and should be performed by a surgeon that does many of these procedures.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 18, 2022
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