Pressure sore

natjo
natjo Member Posts: 3
edited 5. Feb 2013, 05:11 in Living with Arthritis archive
My mother is completely disabled and sits in a riser recliner chair all day and night. She can't lift her left leg at all. She can't lay in bed because it hurts her hip and she cannot get up to urinate. I bought the recliner as a replacement bed.
Trouble is, now she has a pressure sore under her left calf. I'm trying to figure out how to lift the calf off the chair. The nurse brought a Viaclin air flow pressure mattress to sit on to prevent bottom sores and I know there is a bed version of the mattress, but is there anything like this on the market to put under my mother's legs?

Comments

  • Petitesse
    Petitesse Member Posts: 62
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Natjo,

    I'm sorry to hear about your mother.

    Pressure sores are very painful. It is not that I know much about it, but PLEASE PLEASE call the nurse back IMMEDIATELY!

    When my grandmother was in hospital, they didn't look after her properly. She couldn't move much in bed and complained about pain in her lower back. The skin was not broken, but my mother bought some kind of pads to apply to prevent pressure sores and put one on her back. She put the remaining pads next to her bed and instructed the nurses to apply them.

    The next evening we came back to see her and my grandmother said she couldn't understand why the pain had become so much worse.
    My mother took a look and saw the nurses had removed the pad, but not given her a new one. after giving her a bath. She now had a big pressure sore, the skin was broken. We were so angry with the hospital over this, because we couldn't make it heal again and there was no need for her to have this much pain!

    I saw on the internet they have different kinds of anti-decubitus products. But rather than finding some kind of cushion to go under the left leg, she will probably need a narrow mattress that can cover the whole chair to prevent pressure sores in all places like the heels and elbows too? I would let the nurse advise you here.

    The sores can both come and evolve so quickly. I think if the skin is broken there could be much damage underneath allready. You will need to get the nurse back to clean it or maybe teach you how to do this?
    And please act very quickly. I'm sorry to alarm you, but I would just hate for your mother to be in more pain than she needs to be.

    Hugs Pia.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    This sounds like a very nasty situation. Is your mother in a residential or nursing home because, if so, it shouldn't happen. They should have prevented it.

    In your situation my first port of call would be my local Disability Aids shop. Admittedly, mine is a very good one and the people there know their stuff even if they don't have things. It might be a case for googling though. Presumably there's something out there.

    Your mother's situation doesn't sound good, though. Is her GP aware that she is virtually unable to move? I know we all hate to see our nearest and dearest in pain but sometimes the pain of moving (say, between chair and bed) is actually preferable to the pain that will result from NOT moving. Also, unless she is actually incontinent, I think simply transferring, when necessary, to a commode or somesuch, would keep protective muscles working a little and keep the circulation going.

    I do hope you can find a solution.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • kellerman
    kellerman Member Posts: 741
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My grandmother was in the same position. She couldn't go to bed.
    My advise is to definately point this out to the nursing staff and if you get no joy contact the GP.
    I'm pressuming she doesn't move at all so is likely to get more pressure sores.
    A barrier cream would be helpful.....but not the answer.
    Don't buy anything that can and should be provided.
    If the nursing staff are aware of this I am disgusted at the proffession I gave my life to.
    PM me if you get no joy. I'll be more than happy to advise after going through the same problem myself.
    Please please don't let it get any worse. May
  • natjo
    natjo Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the replies. She lives at home with me. She became immobile earlier this year and it's hard to get furniture/aids that she would be happy to use. The nurse provided an air-flow cushion for the bottom but my Mum gave up using that. There's no room in our house for adaptations and hoists and special furniture. The council was going to put a lift in but Mum told them no. I might need to consider getting a bed for her in the living room but I'd need to get her up to use the loo during the night. In the recliner chair she has some control with toileting. It's hard to know what to do for best sometimes.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I really feel for you. You are in an extremely difficult situation. I know how stubborn our elderly loved ones can be and they can become sublimely oblivious to the fact that their 'independence' translates into our hard graft and head scratching in a search for solutions.

    I do stick by what I said earlier though - that movement, however small and painful, is better than no movement. I can understand that she maybe doesn't want the hassle of a lift being installed. When you say she can't move one leg at all, do you mean that literally or just that it is very painful for her?

    I think you might find it helpful to ring our Helpline people so that you can discuss the situation in detail. My gut feeling is that this situation can be improved for both of you. As things are, it must be dreadful for both of you. Please give them a try. You have nothing to lose.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    How are things today, natjo? Any better or worse?
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,896
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Gosh Natjo

    You have got your work cut out with your Mum. She is lucky to have you though and good you spotted the pressure sore so quickly :?

    I have known people have sheepskin put under areas at risk of sores - i don't know if the nurse can get you one.

    In our area we have pressure sore specialist nurses.

    Thinking of you both

    Toni xxx
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello natjo
    I am so sorry you and your mum are in this situation, all I can say is keep on at the social services for a better adapted home.
    I take my hat off to you doing all this, I did it for my mum and dad, many years ago now so I understand some of what you are going through.
    Dont forget to look after yourself in all this, and we are always here if you need to let off steam. ((((())) xx
    Love
    Barbara