TROCHANTERIC PRESSURE IN SPINAL-CORD INJURY

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (11) , 549-552
Abstract
Pressure-induced tissue breakdown is a frequent and life-threatening complication for individuals with spinal cord injury. These patients are frequently positioned on their sides to relieve back and sacral pressure while they are in bed. This position causes high trochanteric pressure with the potential for the development of pressure ulcers. The individual with a spinal cord injury also has absent or diminished sensation and is not aware of the pressure overload. Positions to reduce the possibility of trochanteric ulcers development are identified. The pressure evaluation pad (PEP), a pneumatic pressure monitoring system, was used to study the effect of different leg positions on trochanteric pressure. Pressure under the right trochanter was monitored as the controalateral leg was positioned in various degrees of hip and knee flexion or extension. The procedure was repeated for the left trochanter. A study of 50 subjects demonstrated that a position of 30.degree. hip flexion and 35.degree. knee flexion (with lower leg behind midpoint of the body) produced lower controlateral trochanteric pressure than did the traditional position of hip and knee flexion across the body. Thinner patients had higher trochanteric pressure than did average weight or obese subjects. Standardizing a method for the positioning of patients on their side can be a significant deterrent to the tissue erosion that greatly interferes with the rehabilitation process.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: